Congress Again Attacks Program to Identify Cancer-Causing Chemicals

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Sep 05, 2012, 08:11 ET

Scientists, Physicians, Consumer Advocates, Business Community, Veterans Outraged

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Representative Denny Rehberg, (R-MT) authored a rider for the Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill for 2013 that would effectively deny funding for the Report on Carcinogens (ROC) produced by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

A letter signed by organizations representing thousands of parents, consumers, veterans, and environmental health advocates was delivered to key members of Congress today asking that language to defund the annual Report on Carcinogens be removed from the LHHS FY2013 Appropriations bill.

"Cancer takes a devastating toll on millions of Americans every day of every year," said Sharima Rasanayagam, Breast Cancer Fund. "The RoC is the federal government's official list of chemicals linked to cancer; our first line of defense in preventing this insidious disease. The public has a right to know which chemicals are linked to cancer. Congress should support this critical report."

Robert O'Dowd, former U.S. Marine and journalist, stated "We need independent science that tests chemicals for hazards. The U.S. Government does have a top-notch agency that is researching chemicals and their carcinogenicity. NIEHS is our main defense from harmful chemicals. We have to let these corporate controlled members of Congress know we won't tolerate their attacks on NIEHS."

Alexandra Scranton, Women's Voices for the Earth, Missoula, MT stated "Recently the U.S. National Toxicology Program, declared styrene and formaldehyde to be human carcinogens in their ROC. Instead of working with business to find safer alternatives that protect workers and the public from these chemicals, the chemical industry has gone on the attack, funding consultants to manufacture doubt and skepticism about the science used in the ROC."

Kathy Curtis, Clean and Healthy New York, remarks "Chemical corporations are always pushing to avoid regulations on their toxic products. It makes me wonder if their undue influence in Congress is behind this relentless effort to do away with a credible scientific review process that identifies chemicals linked to cancer."

"As nurses, we see firsthand the devastating impact cancer has on our patients and their families. This is an essential tool in our cancer prevention efforts, and helps us counsel our patients on how to reduce their exposure to carcinogens," remarked Katie Huffling, RN, MS, CNM, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.

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SOURCE Environmental Health Fund