“Chemical safety reform is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it is a common-sense issue and I look forward to building bipartisan support for this measure.”

–Senator Frank Lautenberg, one of the initiators of the Safe Chemicals Act, April 15, 2010

It’s been over 30 years of same old, same old when it comes to the safety of chemicals used in consumer products.

While red tape and over-regulation in D.C. can seem a bit much at times, chemical regulation is something that we do need – for the sake of our health and the health of our loved ones.

Enough to Throw a Toxic Tantrum!

Consider the facts about the current and outdated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):

• The main federal law designed to ensure the safety of chemicals used in consumer products in the United States hasn’t changed in 34 years.

• The original Toxic Substances Control Act requires testing on only about 200 out of 82,000 chemicals entering the market since 1976

• Under this outdated law, the EPA has only partially restricted five out of 80,000 chemicals on the market

• The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) – which considers the toxic topic “high risk area of government,” says that the original TSCA ‘places significant burdens on those most likely to be affected by these chemicals, requiring them to research products for themselves to determine risks, identify, and test the safety of alternatives.’

Those who manufacture safe, natural products — like Napa Valley Bath and others — are already keeping toxins out of personal care products like soap, lotions, bath products and more. But sadly, they don’t make up the broader product stream indulged in by the majority of the public.

Out with the Old, In with the New!

The new law would correct existing flaws in consumer regulation and would require safety testing of all industrial chemicals.

This testing would rightly put the burden on industry to prove that chemicals are safe in order to stay on the market. Highlights include:

• Provides EPA with sufficient information to judge a chemical’s safety.
• Requires manufacturers to develop and submit a minimum data set for each chemical they produce, while also preventing duplicative or unnecessary testing.
• Gives EPA full authority to request additional information needed to determine the safety of a chemical.
• Prioritizes chemicals based on risk.
• Calls on the EPA to categorize chemicals based on risk
• Focuses resources on evaluating those most likely to cause harm.
• Ensures safety threshold is met for all chemicals on the market.
• Places the burden of proof on chemical manufacturers to prove the safety of their chemicals.
• Ensures all uses are identified and determined as safe for the chemical to enter the market or continue to be used.
• Requires EPA to take fast action to reduce risk from chemicals that have already been proven dangerous.
• Empowers EPA Administrators to act quickly if any chemical poses an imminent hazard.
• Creates open access to reliable chemical information.
• Establishes a public database to catalog the information submitted by chemical manufacturers and the EPA’s safety determinations.
• Empowers the EPA to impose requirements to ensure the information collected is reliable.
• Promotes innovation and development of green chemistry.
• Establishes grant programs and research centers to foster the development of safe chemical alternatives, and brings some new chemicals onto the market using an expedited review process.

2 Things You Can Do Now

• Vote with your dollars – First and foremost, you can opt out of buying products made with harmful chemicals. Chose organic products that include natural ingredients like lavender, honey, aloe and check ingredient lists for bad chemical components.

• Write to Congress – Those who really know their stuff (like the folks at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families) say that while the legislation is one huge step in the right direction, it could be improved upon. Check out their letter to congress and if you agree, send it to your senator. Tell other concerned friends and family too.

We’ll be keeping an eye on this legislation and report back as we know more. Until then, keep reading your ingredient lists and be an informed, intelligent, and chemical-free consumer!

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