Arsenic is known to cause many different cancers and diseases. It may contribute to low birth weight, birth defects and studies name it as a possible endocrine disruptor. The EPA set a standard for arsenic in drinking water that for the first time, is less protective than the "technically feasible level" they identify.

Dioxins have been linked to a host of developmental problems and cancer. The EPA has released its "reassessment" of dioxin's toxicity, increasing its risk estimate ten-fold. Communities can use this new information in fights to eliminate dioxin sources.

Dursban, the most commonly used pesticide in U.S. homes, decreases DNA synthesis in the developing brain resulting in reduced numbers of brain cells. The EPA banned over-the-counter sales of Dursban. However, other uses of Dursban are still allowed and need to be phased out.

Mercury is linked to mental retardation, neurological damage and impairment of language, attention and memory. The EPA and the Food and Drug Administration recommend monitoring fish consumption to limit mercury exposure. The EPA and American Hospital Association have reached an understanding to decrease mercury usage in the health care industry by 2005.