Senator Lautenberg Applauds Breakthrough EPA Principles On Chemical Reform, Prepares Bill for Introduction

September 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today lauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of new chemical safety principles as an important breakthrough for public health in America.

Lautenberg, a leader in the Senate on improving chemical safety, is preparing legislation that would put the burden on chemical companies to provide data to the EPA so that Americans can be assured the chemicals they are exposed to are safe.

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“America’s system for regulating toxic chemicals is broken. Far too little is known about the hundreds of chemicals that end up in our bodies and EPA has far too little authority to determine their safety. Today’s announcement marks a breakthrough for public health and makes clear that President Obama and the EPA understand the problem and will fight for the right solution. I will introduce legislation soon to turn these new principles into law. Americans deserve to know that products they rely on – from household cleaners to personal care products to building materials – are safe and will not harm their families.”

Senator Lautenberg first introduced toxic reform legislation in 2005. The new bill Lautenberg is preparing will build on that effort by incorporating recent developments from the National Academy of Science and the principles that were released by the Administration today. It will include requiring the EPA to determine whether chemicals meet new safety standards based on scientific risk assessment. It will require chemical companies to provide data for the EPA to determine if that standard is met and it would require the EPA to prioritize taking action on chemicals that present the greatest risk to human exposure.

Source: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg