Building a future free of toxic chemicals.
TURI has helped businesses adopt safer chemicals and prevent pollution for more than 30 years.
Established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1989, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) is an independent government agency with a mandate to help protect workers, communities and the environment from toxic chemicals and pollution. Working in close collaboration with businesses of all sizes, as well as government agencies, local communities and international organizations, TURI helps identify actions companies and communities can take to protect workers and public health.
Our “Drive to Zero”
TURI’s “Drive to Zero” is a concerted effort to help current users of halogenated chemicals get ahead of upcoming bans and restrictions. We help businesses eliminate their use of these toxic substances by facilitating the adoption of safer alternatives.
Alternatives to PFAS
“Forever” chemicals are seemingly everywhere. The science is clear on their adverse impacts and regulators are restricting their use. TURI is working to develop safer alternatives to the use of PFAS.
The Toxic Divide
Social and environmental justice lies at the heart of our work. Individuals and communities marginalized by society often bear the additional burden of being on the frontline of toxic exposures. Toxics Use Reduction protects workers, children, minorities, and other groups at greatest risk from the use of toxics in their communities.
What we do
From technical assistance and grants, to policy analysis and trainings, TURI takes a multifaceted approach to help businesses and communities reduce the presence of toxics at home, at work and in our environment.
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Training & Education
We train and equip experts in substitution to work with businesses across a range of industries.
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Finding Solutions
We help identify, invent, and test alternatives to some of the most challenging uses of toxic chemicals today.
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Turning Science to Policy
We work with a range of scientists and stakeholders to conduct robust policy analyses and alternatives assessments.
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Providing Grants
We support businesses and communities to help overcome obstacles to the adoption of safer alternatives with financial assistance.
Our team includes scientists, engineers and policy experts, who have helped companies and communities successfully reduce the use and emission of toxic chemicals for over 30 years.
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Our Approach
Toxics Use Reduction focuses on minimizing risks to workers, families and communities by avoiding the use of hazardous substances at the source. First developed in Massachusetts, Toxics Use Reduction has served as a gold standard for efforts to prevent pollution and protect workers.
Our team of experts is dedicated to offering tailored solutions that address the specific needs of companies. We collaborate closely with businesses throughout their transformative journey, guiding them towards the adoption of safer alternatives.
About TURI
A track-record of success
Our systematic approach of Toxics Use Reduction has improved the competitiveness of businesses, while reducing substances linked to cancer, birth defects, neurological damage and other adverse health impacts from our water, our food, our air, as well as the places we work and call home.
Alternatives to PFAS
In a groundbreaking endeavor, Transene Company joined forces with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA), and the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) to embark on a journey to discover safer alternatives to PFAS used in semiconductor etching, and the results were nothing short of remarkable.
Over the course of only 18 months, our dynamic collaboration tirelessly researched, evaluated, and implemented innovative substitutes for PFAS. Not only did we succeed in finding a safer alternative, but we also managed to achieve cost savings by identifying a lower cost safer alternative.
This remarkable success story serves as a testament to the power of collaboration. By bringing together industry experts, academic researchers, and TURI staff, we have not only achieved groundbreaking advancements but also paved the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
Meaningful Collaboration
TURI meets users of toxic chemicals where they are at in their journey to safer alternatives. In addition to research and technical support, we offers training, grants, lab testing and other services to help companies reduce toxic chemical use. Watch this video to hear directly from industries, small businesses and communities about how they reduced toxics.
Organizations featured in the video include Lytron of Woburn, Merrimack Ales of Lowell, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School of Marlborough, Siemens Healthineers Point of Care, Walker’s Gymnastics and Dance in Lowell, Little Leaf Lettuce of Devens, and the City of Springfield. Hear also from Toxics Use Reduction Planner Roxann Carstensen.
Reducing Toxics Everywhere
Healthy Schools
Schools can make improvements throughout their buildings and school grounds to protect the health of children and teachers. Reduce the use of toxics by using safer cleaners and disinfectants, organic grass maintenance to eliminate the need for pesticides and more.
