ECOS statement on Federal Reform: The states react

The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) has adopted a resolution calling for strong federal legislation to fix our broken chemical safety system. The message is clear: We should honor the state’s authority and role, and harness the energy of state leadership to finally fix our broken federal chemical safety system.

The states have managed success where the federal government has not: several states have banned Bisphenol-A (BPA), cadmium and a harmful flame retardant called Deca-BDE while the federal government has not. And many more states are on their way to bans which will protect the most vulnerable populations.

Today, we bring you reaction for the Safer States Coalition around the nation to his resolution.

"In the absence of a strong federal chemical policy states have been leading the way in chemical policy reform by passing state legislation to ban BPA in food containers, lead and phthalates in children’s products, etc. However, ultimately we cannot solve problem with state action alone. In order to protect the health of all Americans from harmful chemical exposure Congress must pass meaningful TSCA reform."
Jamie Silberger, Women's Voices for the Earth.

"We commend ECOS for their leadership in pressing for updates to our nation’s chemical safety laws that will result in better health protections and an exciting new era in green chemistry innovation ... Officials from states like Connecticut are already leading the way and taking steps to move into the twenty-first century using the best of modern science. Congress should follow their lead and collaborate with them as they will be strong partners in implementing these national reforms."
Cindy Luppi, Clean Water Action New England Co-Director.

"We applaud ECOS for their resolution in support of reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act ... Michigan and many other states are at the heart of this movement for chemical policy reform. The states will continue to be committed to achieving reform that protects public health and the environment."
Rebecca Meuninck, Ecology Center Environmental Health Campaign Director.

"The ECOS resolution calls underscores the importance of toxics chemical reform policy to protect our families and the environment ... Parents shouldn’t have to worry if a children’s product contains a dangerous chemical. Just as the city of Chicago acted to protect children from toxic BPA in baby bottles, Congress should now take action to reform toxics policy nationally."
Brian Imus, Director of Illinois PIRG.

"Meaningful advancement in protecting public health from toxic chemical exposures is becoming a reality due in no small part to leadership from pro-active states ... We are proud that Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality is prioritizing toxic reduction initiatives as evidenced by signing the ECOS resolution in support of reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act. We look forward to continuing to work together to safeguard our health and our environment in Oregon and beyond."
Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, Oregon Environmental Council Program Director.

"Thanks to the actions of visionary policymakers in Washington state, Washington children are protected from some of the worst toxic chemicals, like lead and bisphenol A, in children’s products. Yet, these policies only touch the tip of the toxic iceberg. All children in the United States deserve protection from harmful chemicals. Congress must pass the Toxic Safety Chemical Act so that every child can grow and learn to their full potential. We look forward to the day when citizens in all 50 states no longer have to worry that the chemicals in products in their homes are making them sick."
Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, campaign director for the Washington Toxics Coalition.