Senate Approves Update to Chemical Safety Rules
Statement of Ansje Miller, Eastern States Director for the Center for Environmental Health on the passage of TSCA Legislation in the Senate
The Senate bill has been improved since it’s original introduction, but unfortunately falls far short of what’s needed to protect the health of Americans from toxic chemicals. Congress has a lot of work to do as it moves to reconcile the House and Senate bills through conference committee and the Center for Environmental Health will be looking for strong protections of state laws. We are pleased, however, to see that California’s Proposition 65 has been fully protected in the bill that passed on the Senate floor. Congress must continue to protect Americans from harmful chemicals by ensuring that Prop 65 is grandfathered in any bill signed by the President.
For almost twenty years, CEH has won landmark protections from harmful chemicals for millions of Americans through its private enforcement of California’s strong consumer protection law. Maintaining the effectiveness of Prop 65 and other state laws is a critical element to ensuring that children and families are protected from harmful chemicals.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is the leading national nonprofit committed to ending health threats from toxic chemicals in our air, water, food and in products we use every day. CEH protects children and families from harmful chemicals by working with communities, consumers, workers, and government to demand and support safer business practices. We also work with major industries and leaders in green business to promote healthier alternatives to toxic products and practices. For more information, see www.ceh.org/tsca.