“Safe Chemicals Act” Pushed in Washington

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) reintroduced his "Safe Chemicals Act" today in an effort to protect Americans from dangerous toxic chemicals that can be found in everyday products. The bill has 27 additional Senators listed as co-sponsors.

The “Safe Chemicals Act of 2013” would give the Environmental Protection Agency the tools it needs to collect health and safety information, screen chemicals for safety, and require risk management when chemicals cannot be proven safe.

“American families deserve to know that the chemicals found in everyday products are safe. But because of our broken laws, toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other serious diseases make their way into our homes on a daily basis,” said Senator Lautenberg. “The Safe Chemicals Act will ensure that all chemicals are screened for safety and that unsafe uses of chemicals are banned."

Testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found more than 200 industrial chemicals in Americans’ bodies, including at least six known carcinogens and dozens that are linked to cancer, birth defects, and other diseases. Many of the chemicals are found in consumer products like cleaners, detergents, furniture, food packaging, electronics, vinyl products, non-stick cookware, and children’s products.

The 2013 legislation is identical to a measure approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last year.