House TSCA Update Fails to Protect Public Health

WASHINGTON – EWG opposes the draft legislation put forth by U.S. Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) to update the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. The proposal will not keep the public safe from hazardous chemicals, EWG said.

In a hearing today on the bill’s discussion draft before the House Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, Jim Jones, the assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, testified that the Shimkus-Pallone proposal could “delay evaluations for some of the most dangerous chemicals indefinitely.”

EWG shares Jones’ concern. The proposal allows chemical industry groups to request unlimited safety assessments that would immediately start an unrealistic six-month clock for EPA to complete a review.

The House measure would also fail to ensure that the EPA quickly evaluates and regulates dangerous chemicals like asbestos, fail to set deadlines for chemical restrictions or bans and fail to provide the EPA with needed resources.

In addition, it would fail to preserve important steps already taken by states to protect the public from dangerous chemicals. In the absence of federal leadership, more than 30 states have enacted more than 150 laws to regulate or restrict dangerous chemicals.

In a recent blog post, EWG highlighted the top ten problems with the House discussion draft.

EWG President and Co-Founder Ken Cook said:

The House proposal would not ensure that chemicals used in everyday products are safe and it would not preserve actions already taken by states to regulate toxic substances. Congress must do better to protect public health and the environment from dangerous chemicals. Any overhaul of TSCA must safeguard the public from hazardous substances like asbestos, bisphenol A, formaldehyde, lead, mercury and toxic flame retardants. Americans deserve a safer and healthier environment for themselves and their families. It is time for Congress to pass real chemical safety reform.

EWG also submitted a letter today to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce detailing its opposition to the Shimkus-Pallone proposal.

Disqus Comments

Related News

Continue Reading

What is GRAS?

Food and chemical companies are permitted to approve the use of new potentially harmful additives and other substances in snacks, drinks and more without the Food and Drug Administration’s review and...