The Hill News

The debate on “reforming” the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has recently emerged before the U. S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Eagerly anticipated by a wide variety of environmental groups, whose common raison d'être is essentially a deeply held fear of chemicals in our environment, they are now chomping at the bit at the prospect of tightening our already restrictive chemical safety laws.
 
Now most of us would probably admit to an innate fear of something â€" snakes, heights, clowns, whatever. But over the years, well-funded environmental groups have relied upon our instinctual fears for our children’s safety in order to manipulate the public, the media, and legislators to react emotionally rather than objectively to unfounded theories of chemical threats.
 
Decades ago, such irrational fear of chemicals was not so widespread, due to a general lack of scientific knowledge. Over time, though, the scientific com! munity has amassed a plethora of information on thousands of substances in commerce and common use. Today, the public’s fear of chemicals is no longer driven by a lack of information but rather by a surplus of misconceptions espoused by politically-motivated activists masquerading as public health advocates.

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