RUMFORD — Cancer, learning disabilities and reproductive problems affect many families. Scientific data is increasingly showing that many common health problems are caused or aggravated by dangerous chemicals contained in the products that we use every day. Yet, most commonly used chemicals have never been tested for safety before they are sold.

Emma Halas-O’Connor is a grassroots organizer at the Environmental Health Strategy Center in Bangor. She will present “Household Products and Our Health: Consumer Choices and Policy Decisions” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, in Rumford Hospital’s Conference Room A.

Following a short video produced by the Story of Stuff Project, Halas-O’Connor will provide take-home information on avoiding toxic chemicals in everyday products and explain the latest efforts to achieve safer chemical policies in Maine and around the nation. She will also focus on her current work to remove the toxic chemical BPA from the food supply. The Environmental Health Strategy Center works to build broad-based support for policies promoting safer chemicals in a more sustainable economy.

Patty Duguay, executive director of River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, will join Halas-O’Connor to talk about local efforts to maintain a healthy environment, including the coalition’s annual household hazardous waste collection program.

The presentation is sponsored by the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, Rumford Hospital and The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing. It is free and open to the public. Call the Dempsey Center at 795-8250 to register.