May 20, 2010

U.S. Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) recently introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 to address "core failings" of the "antiquated" Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976. 

The proposed legislation would require safety testing of all industrial chemicals, and put the burden on manufacturers to prove that chemicals are safe to enter or stay on the market.  Current law allows chemicals to be used unless the federal government can prove they cause harm to health or the environment.  As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency has been able to require testing for just 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals currently registered in the U.S. and has been able to ban only five dangerous substances. 

Several industry, public health, and environmental groups have supported the bill. 

Link to Senator Lautenberg's website