Chemical Legislation: Reading Between Lines, Underneath Label
Posted May 22, 2014 08:59 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSE,
FL - These days it's not uncommon to find Floridians
reading product labels, but they might be curious to
know the products' ingredients that aren't listed.
Legislation before Congress claims to offer consumers greater protection against potentially harmful chemicals.
But Kathy Aterno, Florida director of the Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, says the bill would move the country backwards in terms of protection.
Links:
•
Clean Water Action Florida
•
Chemicals in Commerce Act
•
Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
•
The Hazardous 100+ Action Guide
"It really doesn't provide the regulatory structure
and the tools that the EPA needs to look at new
chemicals that are on the market, or even existing
chemicals," she stresses.
Critics say the federal Chemicals in Commerce Act -
currently in the Energy and Commerce Committee - has
weak standards to determine whether a chemical is safe
and maintains the ability of chemical companies to
refuse to disclose ingredients such as formaldehyde and
arsenic.
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida is on the House
committee and says in a statement he believes the act
will modernize federal law so that the public is
protected.
Last year Florida lawmakers considered a similar state
bill. It did not pass, but the current legislation in
Washington would prevent the enforcement of any future
state laws regarding chemicals in products.
According to Clean Water Action, formaldehyde - a
confirmed carcinogen by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) - is found in many soaps, shampoos
and other personal hygiene products.
Benzene is another chemical known to cause cancer and is
found in plastics, balloons and scented children's toys.
Aterno says consumers have a right to make educated
decisions.
"We go to the grocery store or the drug store and
purchase hair products, products for our children," she
says. "And you don't know what you are bringing into
your house."
According to analysis by the group Safer Chemicals,
Healthy Families, the current draft of legislation
weakens the EPA's oversight of new chemicals.
Supporters insist the bill would offer adequate
regulation to protect consumers.
Photos/graphics, layout added by the Observer
Photo: John Clarke Russ, Bangor Daily News
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