Toxic Substances Control Reform Bill Can Repair Broken Chemical Law

WASHINGTON (April 14, 2011) – Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., introduced the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2011” today to update the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act.

The following is a statement from Daniel Rosenberg, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Senator Lautenberg has been a leader in efforts to address concerns about the safety of chemicals used in products in our homes, workplaces and schools. This bill presents Congress with an opportunity and a challenge: Can the House and Senate overcome paralysis and partisanship to address a nationwide problem that threatens consumers’ health and the ability of businesses to assure the public that their products are safe? 

 “Every member of Congress should take this issue as seriously as their constituents, who are rightfully concerned about the role that toxic chemicals play in the rise of chronic illness and disease including cancer, learning and developmental disabilities and reproductive problems.”

“For more than two years, health and environmental groups and the chemical industry, have been calling on Congress to repair the broken federal system for regulating toxic chemicals.  This bill puts us on the path to that fix.”

For more information on TSCA reform visit: http://www.nrdc.org/health/toxics.asp