150 Individuals and Organizations Join the Campaign for Chemical Safety Reform

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Chemical Safety -- a nationwide organization dedicated to supporting comprehensive reform of our country's chemical safety laws -- today surpassed the 150-member mark with individuals and organizations from across the country signing up to support its efforts.

"Although chemical safety reform is not getting the attention we think it deserves, the fact that 150 organizations -- ranging from a small computer maintenance company in Helena, Montana to the Illinois State Council of Operation Engineers -- proves that it is an issue that deeply concerns many Americans," said Coalition for Chemical Safety Executive Director Joe Householder. 

"The Coalition and its  growing roster of members believe it is time for a comprehensive rewrite of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in such a way that we protect public safety, promote industry innovation and preserve the tens of thousands of American jobs provided directly or indirectly by the chemical industry," Householder said.

In the near future the Coalition expects New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg to step forward with a new draft of his Kid Safe Chemicals Act.  According to Householder, "We hope that the filing of that bill stimulates the rest of Congress to engage on the larger issue of overall TSCA reform."

"Thousands of Montana small businesses use some sort of chemicals every day.  They wouldn't be in business if they didn't know those products were safe, consistent in their makeup, and had relatively stable prices.  The goal of chemical safety reform is to ensure that we maximize our ability to protect health and the environment, and to maintain the consistency that business depends on," said Matt Cavanaugh, Owner of Five Valley's Restoration and Cleaning in Missoula, Montana.

"The Virginia State Police Association (VSPA) joined the Virginia Coalition for Chemical Safety to help ensure that our troopers have access to the very best safety equipment available," said Wayne Huggins, Executive Director.  "This life-saving equipment depends heavily on advanced chemical engineering. We must work together to ensure that our chemical safety laws protect the public health and promote the sorts of innovation that will yield the next generation of safety equipment."

Passed in 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act was designed to give the Environmental Protection Agency authority to oversee chemical safety in the United States.  However, the ability of science to determine the impact chemicals have on our bodies and the environment has advanced significantly and the law has not kept up.  The Coalition for Chemical Safety believes that the EPA should be able to use the best, most current science to accurately determine the safety of chemicals, and industry should be an active partner in this process. The EPA should also be provided with sufficient resources for accessing and using up-to-date science and technology to evaluate chemicals and establish fair, consistent rules to ensure their safe use.  The key to any TSCA reform should be protecting public safety, promoting innovation and preserving American jobs.

According to Householder, the Coalition intends to play an active role in the debate.  "The Coalition has more than 150 members, including individuals, small businesses, associations and corporations, across the United States.  We all recognize that it is long past time to reform our hopelessly outdated chemical safety laws.  We look forward to playing an active role in the discussion in hopes of assuring that Congress takes a comprehensive approach to this vital national issue."

To learn more about TSCA reform and to join the Coalition for Chemical Safety, visit us at http://www.coalitionforchemsafety.com. 

SOURCE The Coalition for Chemical Safety

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