That sense of co-operation is evident in the US as in the case of recent legislation introduced by two politicians to update the way the United States assesses and manages the risks posed by chemicals and products that contain them.
The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is the culmination of an initiative to enact the first update of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 40 years. President Barack Obama signed it into law and said: “Most Americans would expect that we could come together to fix this law and do a better job of protecting the American people.” Introduced last year by Republican Congressman John Shimkus and Senator Tom Udall, the law was named in honour of the late New Jersey senator who spearheaded reform efforts for several years before his death in 2013.
The original legislation, the Toxic Substances Control Act, was signed into law by President Ford in 1976. The law gives the US Environmental Protection Agency new authority to review and regulate chemicals, along with mandating that the agency update its inventory of existing chemicals and create a risk evaluation process. President Obama said: “This has been years in the making. I know there were times when folks questioned whether or not all the parties involved would be able to reach this agreement but that’s what public service is about: pushing through disagreements, forging compromise — especially when it’s hard, and especially when it’s about something as important as the health and safety of our kids and our families.
“I’m absolutely confident that we can regulate toxic chemicals in a way that’s both good for our families and ultimately good for business and our economy. Here in America, folks should have the confidence to know that the laundry detergent we buy isn’t going to make us sick, the mattresses our babies sleep on aren’t going to harm them.” Congressman Smiku said: “The legislation is a vast improvement over current law and a careful compromise that is good for consumers, good for jobs and good for the environment.” Industry groups and some environmentalists applauded the enactment of TSCA reform.
American Chemistry Council President Cal Dooley said: “Chemical evaluation and regulation will meet new 21st Century standards, which will improve the lives of American families, support American manufacturing and bolster U.S. economic growth.” Environmental Defense Fund lead senior scientist Richard Denison said: ““While not perfect, the Lautenberg Act fixes the biggest problems with a badly broken law that has left our health at risk. Now the hard part must begin: tending to decades of neglect when it comes to unreviewed and unregulated chemicals.”
Cabot Corporation and LyondellBasell Industries, both of which have facilities in Tuscola, were among US companies to praise the legislation. Carl Troike, the Facility General Manager for Cabot Corporation in Tuscola, said: “We carefully consider the effect of our products on the health and safety of our customers, employees, the communities where we operate, as well as their impact on the environment. “The modernisation of TSCA will further ensure the safety of chemical products, but more importantly improve consumer confidence in the safety and regulation of the chemical industry. “With a stronger system in place, we can ensure that the chemical industry is able to continue to innovate while delivering chemical products that are safe for their intended use.”
Shawn Cullen, the Plant Manager for LyondellBasell in Tuscola, said: “This bill positively impacts our facility by improving the effectiveness of US chemical regulations and increasing consumer confidence in the safety of chemicals.”
