The Hill News

Americans are concerned about the safety of toxic chemicals contained in everyday products â€" and they should be. Many of the products we bring into our homes â€" cleaning supplies, fabrics, furniture, carpets, and hundreds of others â€" contain chemicals, including some that have been linked to cancer, learning and developmental problems, and reproductive disorders.
 
While we all want to protect our families from these dangers, we have little ability to do so. That’s because the federal law designed to safeguard us has made it almost impossible. Now Congress has a long overdue opportunity to fix the broken Toxic Substances Control Act.

The landscape of chemical regulation is changing dramatically. Over the last several years, 18 states have adopted controls on toxic chemicals, nearly all with strong bi-partisan support, and more than 30 states will consider additional protections this year. Even the chemical industry says it supports strengthen! ing changes, though it has offered little by way of specifics.  

It doesn’t require an advanced degree in chemistry to recognize what is wrong with this law.

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