Why the Ancient and Ineffective Toxic Substances Control Act Needs Reform
January 21, 2010 by Alicia
Filed under Environmental Toxics, Toxic Chemicals
The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition just issued a new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science, “The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act,” which makes the case that the U.S. has the opportunity to prevent rising rates of chronic disease and reduce health care costs by overhauling federal chemical policy. The report was released in 18 states across the country, led by state environmental health coalitions, local officials, nurses and doctors, the United Steelworkers and more.
Charlotte Brody, the National Field Director of the Coalition, explains the foundational goals of TCSA reform, why it’s necessary and how it will eventually lay the burden of chemical safety at the industry’s feet:
The report shows how new scientific evidence is linking the increase in some cancers, learning and developmental disabilities, reproductive problems, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease and asthma and other diseases and disorders to chemicals. And it makes the case for chemical policy reform as a different kind of health care reform, with the potential to save the American people an estimated $5 billion every year in health care costs when it is fully implemented.
Meaningful TSCA reform will give EPA the authority to ask chemical manufacturers the right questions: What is the evidence that this chemical is safe? If there is evidence that a chemical is hurting the health of people and the environment, where are these exposures coming from? Are some people being more harmed than others and how do we protect the more vulnerable? Do we need to use this chemical or are there safer alternatives? Is this chemical so dangerous that its use need to be restricted or banned?
We need to ask Congress to stand up for our health and stand up to the lobbyists for the chemical industry. Take a minute now to write to your member of Congress!
>> Download the full report here.
