THE PROBLEM: The Environmental Protection Agency is required by Congress to test over 87,000 chemicals and pesticides which are suspected of interfering with the endocrine systems of human beings. It is estimated that 1.2 million animals would be used for every 1,000 chemicals tested.

WHAT NOW: Non-animal alternatives are available! According to The Animal Legal Defense Fund (who, on behalf of several animal welfare groups, has filed a Petition to Intervene to insure that the EPA considers alternative, validated tests), the EPA can design chemical testing programs that will protect human health and the environment, without cruel and unnecessary animal testing.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: (***See sample letter below***)Write to the EPA Administrator Carol Browner and urge the EPA to utilize validated testing procedures, minimize the number of animals used, and incorporate more non-animal alternatives.

Sample letter:

May 20, 2000

Carol M. Browner

Administrator, EPA

401 M Street, SW

Washington, D.C. 20460

Re: Endocrine Disruptor Testing

Dear Ms. Browner:

As a citizen who is concerned about human health, environmental safety and the welfare of the animal residents of this country, I am writing to urge the EPA to consider non-animal alternatives for the mandatory Endocrine Disruptor Testing.

I understand that it is crucial to evaluate the threat posed to humans by pesticides and chemicals. However, it simply does not make sense to do so at the cost of the lives of millions of innocent animals. We must consider the well-being of all creatures when searching for safer, less volatile products.

The cruel tests proposed by the EPA are unnecessary. Validated, non-animal alternatives exist that in many cases are more reliable at predicting a chemical's potential hazard, and do not harm living beings. These alternatives present a viable way for the EPA to meet its requirements while not imposing a torturous and frivolous death on millions of defenseless animals.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Christina J. Johnson

134 Main St.

Los Angeles, CA 90000