I’m am beyond thrilled to see that congress is considering legislation that requires that chemicals be tested for safety before they are allowed into products. I find it somewhat appalling that a law like this hasn’t already been passed in the U.S.
The Environmental Working Group has conducted several studies (see their Body Burden site for more) showing that chemicals in our environment are accumulating in our bodies. Most disturbing is their 2004 study that found 287 chemicals–including industrial chemicals, pesticides, known carcinogens, and wastes from burning coal and gasoline–in the umbilical cords of ten babies (and therefore, in their bloodstreams). The EWG sent me some information on this issue, which included this statement by U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY): “If we ever had proof that our nation’s pollution laws aren’t working, it’s reading the list of industrial chemicals in the bodies of babies who have not yet lived outside the womb.” The information I received also mentions some startling statistics that may or may not be related to the thousands of chemicals we’re now exposed to:
- 1 in every 80 boys has some form of autism (2006).
- 1 in every 10 children has asthma (2006).
- There has been a 27% increase in childhood cancer from 1975 to 2002.
- Preterm birth has increased 23% from the mid 1980′s to 2002. (For a related article on low birth weight, see cnn.com.)
The most recent legislation to protect us and our children from chemicals, the Toxic Substances Control Act, was passed in 1976, when it automatically declared all the chemicals already produced safe (a whopping 62,000 of them). Since then, another 20,000 chemicals have been put into U.S. commerce. According to EWG, 80% of chemicals are approved by the EPA in merely 3 weeks. Only 200 of the 80,000 chemicals in U.S. products have ever had testing required by the EPA–that’s one quarter of 1%! And even fewer have been restricted. Basically, the current attitude towards chemicals is that they are considered safe until proven otherwise. But by the time they are proven otherwise, millions have been exposed (as is the case with Bisphenol-A).
The Kid Safe Chemical Act was proposed in May 2008 by Senator Frank Lautenberg (Democrat from NJ) and Representatives Hilda Solis and Henry Waxman (Democrats from CA). The EWG summarizes the bill as follows:
- Requiring companies to prove that their chemicals are safe for infants and children before products go on the market.
- Making all health and safety data public.
- Banning chemicals when manufacturers do not provide safety studies.
- Promoting green, safe chemicals in consumer products.
The environmental group Earthjustice summarizes the bill in slightly greater detail:
- Requires basic data on industrial chemicals. Chemical companies must demonstrate the safety of their products, backed up with credible evidence. Chemicals that lack minimum data could not be legally manufactured in or imported into the United States.
- Places the burden on industry to demonstrate safety. EPA must systematically review whether industry has met this burden of proof for all industrial chemicals within 15 years of adoption, even sooner for priority chemicals.
- Restrict the use of dangerous chemicals found in newborn babies. Hazardous chemicals detected in human cord blood would be immediately targeted for restrictions on their use.
- Use new scientific evidence to protect health. EPA must consider and is authorized to require additional testing as new science and new testing methods emerge, including for health effects at low doses or during fetal or infant development
- Establish national program to assess human exposure. The federal government’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to expand existing analysis of pollutants in people to help identify chemicals that threaten the health of children, workers, or other vulnerable populations.
- Expand the public right to know on toxic chemicals. New, internet-accessible public database on chemical hazards and uses will inform companies, communities, and consumers. EPA is to rein in excessive industry claims of confidentiality.
- Invest in long-term solutions. New funding and incentives are provided for development of safer alternatives and technical assistance in “green chemistry.”
For more info, check out the EWG’s Kid-Safe page. There are some great PDF’s you can download there, including the actual bill itself.
