Lautenberg introduces Safe Chemicals Act

New Jersey senator introduces legislation to update the 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act.

Tue, Apr 19 2011 at 8:00 AM

Related Topics:

Toxins & Chemicals, Congress

Snapshot from video

Last week, Sen. Frank Lautenberg officially introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011. Co-sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer, Amy Klobuchar and Charles Schumer, the aim of the Safe Chemicals Act is to update the way America looks at and regulates chemicals. The act would update the 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act, which has done little over the years to protect Americans and the environment from chemicals. Here's a look at a video released by Lautenberg on the introduction of the act:

The Safe Chemicals Act would go a long way toward protecting Americans from chemicals before they are linked to health and environmental issues. Specifically, it would:

Require the EPA to identify and restrict the "worst of the worst" chemicals.
Require basic health and safety information for all chemicals as a condition for entering or remaining on the market.
Upgrade scientific methods for testing and evaluating chemicals.
Arm the EPA with the tools and resources it needs to restrict chemicals that pose health and environmental concerns.

It may not seem like much, but it's shocking to me that these parameters are not already in place. Andy Igrejas, director of Safer Chemicals, Health Families — a coalition of 280 health, environmental and business groups — had this to say about The Safe Chemicals Act:

"The whole world has woken up to the ragged holes in our federal safety net for chemicals. We need a new law to put common-sense limits on toxic chemicals both to protect American families, and to give a leg up to American firms in a world market that increasingly demands safer products."

So now that the act has been introduced, what can you do to ensure that it passes? Contact your senators and make sure that they are on board (and know that you are on board) with legislation to update chemical regulation. Plug your ZIPcode into the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families page to find out where to send your email of support.

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

Previous Post
3 excellent Passover books for kids

Next Post
Disneynature's 'African Cats' in theaters for Earth Day

You might also like:

Join the conversation

Comment: 1

richrls Jul 27 2012 at 7:42 AM

But what are these"worst of the worst" chemicals i wonder...Are these "worst of the worst" types passable "approved" in SMALLER QUANTITIES perhaps? how about experimental quantities of APPROVED chemical and "Bio-tech" toxins in our food, drink, MEDICINE and everyday products? Fluoride, BPA, Dioxins, industrial "contaminations", pesticides, "Antibiotics" , 'Additives" "Stabilizers", "Emulsifiers" "Preservatives" Artificial Sugars,flavor Enhancers, and now organ damaging,DNA disrupting, brain killing "

.... More

unknown" "hormones", GMO's et cetra et cetra ARE ALL" WORST OF THE WORST"....No??!