The health case for TSCA reform

The evidence is clear: Americans will be healthier if exposure to toxic chemicals is reduced, resulting in lower health care costs across the nation. 

This information is in an analysis released last week titled "The health case for reforming the toxic substances control act." Toxic chemical exposure is linked to cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, asthma and other diseases and conditions, and conservative estimates show that reducing the incidence of these diseases by 0.1% could save $5 billion in health care costs.

Upon hearing the news of the health report, many Safer State organizations chimed in with their concern for the health report's implication for their citizens, and the need for TSCA reform.

Maryland PIRG Environmental Health Advocate Jenny Levin: “People of all incomes should be able to buy products for themselves and their children with the assurance of safety. Unfortunately, many consumers today don’t have that luxury. Congress should pass comprehensive chemical safety legislation that phases out chemicals of concern and protects vulnerable populations such as such as pregnant women and children.”

Kathleen Schuler, Co-Director of Healthy Legacy and co-author of the report: “The failure of TSCA has left Minnesota’s families and children unnecessarily exposed too many toxic chemicals. Study after study finds toxic chemicals in the human body, including in umbilical cord blood. We simply have to do a better job of determining which chemicals are safe and which should be phased out to protect public health.”

Sarah Uhl of Clean Water Action: “Much attention has focused on single-chemical phase-outs such as Connecticut’s landmark Bisphenol-A legislation of 2009, but states are increasingly pursuing more proactive approaches that can protect consumers from more than one chemical at a time. By following the lead of California, Maine, and Washington, we can model what needs to be done federally and protect the health of Connecticut residents at the same time.”

Ansje Miller, Policy Director for Center for Environmental Health and the Coordinator for Californians for a Healthy and Green Economy (CHANGE) : “We are standing on the precipice in California. The implementing regulations will determine whether California consumers, workers, downstream manufacturers and users will have the information they need to make informed decisions about toxic chemicals in products, in our environment and in our bodies.”