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"Tetrachloroethylene, better known as PERC, is a solvent used in dry cleaning fluid by approximately 28,000 U.S. dry cleaners." (Photo: Tom Simpson/flickr/cc)
By releasing the first 10 chemicals to be reviewed under the new federal chemical safety law, the Environmental Protection Agency reminds us of what's at stake - and how decisions made by the incoming Trump administration could jeopardize Americans' health.
"If the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve."
By releasing the first 10 chemicals to be reviewed under the new federal chemical safety law, the Environmental Protection Agency reminds us of what's at stake - and how decisions made by the incoming Trump administration could jeopardize Americans' health.
"If the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve."
Many of the chemicals identified by the EPA are found in consumer products and have been linked to cancer. But the team deciding how the incoming administration will implement the new law is led by Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, an industry-funded front group that has consistently downplayed the risks toxic chemicals pose.
The front group's so-called experts deem chemicals posing serious health hazards safe - including arsenic, mercury, phthalates and formaldehyde. The Institute even laments that the notorious killer asbestos might be among the first "casualties" of the new law, which gives the EPA new power to review and regulate the most dangerous chemicals.
If people like Ebell, who is not a scientist, are put in charge of the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, there's no telling how the science will be twisted to serve the chemical industry. And if the EPA gets it wrong with these first 10 chemicals, there could be serious consequences.
Several of the chemicals on the list are found in consumer products:
These chemicals and the others on the EPA's list pose serious risks to consumers, workers and the environment. The new law should be an opportunity for the EPA to finally restrict these toxic chemicals and ensure that consumers are safe. But if the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve.
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By releasing the first 10 chemicals to be reviewed under the new federal chemical safety law, the Environmental Protection Agency reminds us of what's at stake - and how decisions made by the incoming Trump administration could jeopardize Americans' health.
"If the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve."
Many of the chemicals identified by the EPA are found in consumer products and have been linked to cancer. But the team deciding how the incoming administration will implement the new law is led by Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, an industry-funded front group that has consistently downplayed the risks toxic chemicals pose.
The front group's so-called experts deem chemicals posing serious health hazards safe - including arsenic, mercury, phthalates and formaldehyde. The Institute even laments that the notorious killer asbestos might be among the first "casualties" of the new law, which gives the EPA new power to review and regulate the most dangerous chemicals.
If people like Ebell, who is not a scientist, are put in charge of the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, there's no telling how the science will be twisted to serve the chemical industry. And if the EPA gets it wrong with these first 10 chemicals, there could be serious consequences.
Several of the chemicals on the list are found in consumer products:
These chemicals and the others on the EPA's list pose serious risks to consumers, workers and the environment. The new law should be an opportunity for the EPA to finally restrict these toxic chemicals and ensure that consumers are safe. But if the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve.
By releasing the first 10 chemicals to be reviewed under the new federal chemical safety law, the Environmental Protection Agency reminds us of what's at stake - and how decisions made by the incoming Trump administration could jeopardize Americans' health.
"If the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve."
Many of the chemicals identified by the EPA are found in consumer products and have been linked to cancer. But the team deciding how the incoming administration will implement the new law is led by Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, an industry-funded front group that has consistently downplayed the risks toxic chemicals pose.
The front group's so-called experts deem chemicals posing serious health hazards safe - including arsenic, mercury, phthalates and formaldehyde. The Institute even laments that the notorious killer asbestos might be among the first "casualties" of the new law, which gives the EPA new power to review and regulate the most dangerous chemicals.
If people like Ebell, who is not a scientist, are put in charge of the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, there's no telling how the science will be twisted to serve the chemical industry. And if the EPA gets it wrong with these first 10 chemicals, there could be serious consequences.
Several of the chemicals on the list are found in consumer products:
These chemicals and the others on the EPA's list pose serious risks to consumers, workers and the environment. The new law should be an opportunity for the EPA to finally restrict these toxic chemicals and ensure that consumers are safe. But if the EPA's top spots are packed with pro-industry officials, Americans may never have the safety protections in place that we deserve.