Toxic Substances Control Act

Congress is supposedly set to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act but so far nothing has been done

. The TSCA was first passed in 1976 to help prevent citizen exposure to toxic chemicals and to put regulations in place for these toxic substances. Since that time there has been almost no change to the act even though it was very weak and short on substance. This is a classic case of bowing to industry pressure and passing something that really is not very helpful.

Since the TSCA was passed the EPA has only required safety testing of 200 chemicals. "In contrast, the original law explicitly exempted 60,000 chemicals from any testing under a "grandfather clause." Congress later added 20,000 more chemicals to that list". That 80,000 total chemicals that are not subject to any kind of regulation. Many of these chemicals are toxic or harmful to humans and the environment but they are not regulated so manufacturers can put them in consumer products, storage containers etc. without having to worry about oversight.

The act also requires the government to look at the positive aspects of the chemical as well. In 1989 Asbestos, which is a known carcinogen and banned in over 40 countries had its ban in the U.S. overturned by a Federal Court. So a known carcinogen is allowed to used due to an outdated law, great. Also a wide variety of health problems have been linked to hazardous chemicals, toxic heavy metals and other toxins commonly found in consumer products, including autism, childhood cancer and breast cancer. The Toxic Substance Control Act needs to be updated so that ALL chemicals that are used in the U.S. are tested so that they are proven to be safe BEFORE they are allowed into our products or our environment.

by: Patrick Hayes

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