April, 14 2011, 02:24pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Elizabeth Hitchcock, Public Health Advocate
U.S. Public Interest Research Group
Office: 202-546-9707
Elizabeth@pirg.org
Senator Lautenberg Introduces Bill to Protect Public Health, Reform Toxics Policy
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced the Safe Chemicals Act - a bill to reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Safe Chemicals Act will require safety testing of all industrial chemicals, and puts the burden on industry to prove that chemicals are safe in order to get on or stay on the market.
WASHINGTON
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced the Safe Chemicals Act - a bill to reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Safe Chemicals Act will require safety testing of all industrial chemicals, and puts the burden on industry to prove that chemicals are safe in order to get on or stay on the market.
U.S. PIRG Public Health Advocate Liz Hitchcock had the following statement:
"Toxic pollution is more than what comes out of factory smokestacks. Pollution invades our homes and our bodies from the toys our kids play with, the carpets they learn to crawl on and the foods that they eat.
"Americans are living with the continued fallout of a toxics law that has allowed thousands of chemicals to get on the market without consideration of their effect on public health. We have far too much evidence linking serious health problems like learning disabilities, asthma, obesity, diabetes, reduced fertility, and some cancers with exposure to chemicals in our everyday lives.
"U.S. PIRG applauds Senator Lautenberg for championing a common sense law to protect public health that takes immediate action on the most dangerous chemicals, holds manufacturers responsible for ensuring the safety of their chemicals and products before they are on the market, and uses the best science to protect public health.
"Congress must put public health priorities ahead of the interests of the chemical lobby, and move forward on this important legislation."
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.
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