Toxic Chemicals in Our Homes and All Around Us: The Fight for Real
ReformJune 19, 2014
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Andy Igrejas National Campaign Director
Toxic Chemicals in Our Homes and All Around Us: The
Fight for Real Reform
Melanie HoustonDirector of Water Policy &
Environmental Health
Ohio Environmental Council
The OEC is the Ohio’s most comprehensive, effective and respected environmental advocate for a healthier, more sustainable Ohio.
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Problem: Unregulated toxic chemicals
Chemicals are found all around us: couches, carpet, baby gear, canned food…
Growing evidence pointing to health problems associated with chemicals
Childhood cancerEarly pubertyInfertilityLearning and developmental disabilities
Overview of Today’s Webinar
Three common toxic chemicals
UseWhere they are foundAssociated health problems Ways to reduce exposure
Current state of federal regulation on toxic chemicals
Legislative updates on bills in US House and Senate
What you can do to get involved
What is Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical
Present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans (FDA.gov)
Primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/)
Found in:• water bottles• canned food• infant feeding bottles • medical devices
Health Problems & Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Bisphenol A (BPA) use is widespread
Can leach into food and water
Primary source of exposure to BPA is through diet
CDC found: • “Detectable levels of BPA in 93% of
Americans 6 years and older”
National Toxicology Program has reported:• “some concern” for BPAs effect on brain,
behavior, prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children
Ways to Reduce your Exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Avoid plastic containers with #7
Avoid microwaving plastic containers
Avoid placing plastic containers in dishwasher
Eat fresh or frozen food
Opt for glass, porcelain or stainless steel
Look for baby bottles and toys that are labeled “BPA free”
What is Formaldehyde?
A colorless, strong-smelling gas (cdc.gov)
Purposes: • used to add permanent-press
qualities to clothing and draperies• as a component of glues and
adhesives• as a preservative (epa.gov)
Found in• Household products • Pressed-wood• Cigarette smoke• Clothing & textiles• Foods and personal care products • Even baby products
Health Problems & Formaldehyde
Irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin
Allergic contact dermatitis – rashes, blisters, and flaky dry skin
More acute exposures can be severe: pulmonary inflammation or death
“Probable carcinogen” – US EPA (research demonstrated cancer in animal studies)
Ways to Reduce your exposure to Formaldehyde
Avoiding smoking or using unvented heaters indoors
Removing formaldehyde sources from your home
Sealing unfinished ply board and ventilating if engaging in woodworking
Avoiding or washing new “wrinkle free” clothing
Limiting/reducing number or personal care products that you use
What are Chemical Flame Retardants?
Marketed to public as mechanism of fire protection
Use began with CA’s flammability standard: TB 117
Found in: • Furniture • Baby mattresses &
products • Car interiors • Electronic devices• Hospital setting• Food (meat &
dairy)
Health Problems & Chemical Flame Retardants
Americans carry high levels of these chemicals in their bodies
Found in blood, breast milk & umbilical cord blood
Associated with smaller babies, lower IQs, attention problems, cancer, male infertility, early puberty, obesity etc.
Ways to reduce your exposure to Chemical Flame Retardants
Avoid purchase of furniture and products treated with flame retardants
Safer products made from wool, polyester, cotton or down filled
Washing hands frequently
Vacuuming with HEPA vacuum
Discard damaged foam products
Failings of Toxic Substances Control Act
• Outdated – no change or reform in law since 1976
• Ineffective at the start 62,000 chemicals “grandfathered
in” under the law
Testing on only approx. 200 chemicals
Only 5 chemicals have been restricted for some use
Time for Meaningful TSCA Reform
GAO Report EPA cannot require
companies to provide info on toxicity and exposure of chemicals
Court reversal of 1989 asbestos rule
EPA has not been able to challenge companies confidentiality claims
What you Can Do
Contact Senators Brown & Portman – oppose Chemical Safety Improvement Act as drafted
Contact Your US Congressperson (Bill Johnson and Bob Latta are key players) – oppose the Chemicals in Commerce Act
Get involved with the OEC and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families on this issue www.theOEC.org
www.SaferChemicals.org
Chemical Safety Improvement Act
Senate bill- sponsored by Sen. Vitter (R-LA) and the later Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Sen. Udall (D-NM) now the lead Democrat25 bi-partisan co-sponsors in Senate (not Portman
or Brown).Opposed by Senator Boxer (D-CA), the Chair of the
Environment and Public Works Committee.
Chemicals in Commerce Act
“Discussion Draft” circulated in February by John Shimkus (R-IL), Chair of Environment and Economy Subcommittee.
Revised in April in response to criticism. Multiple “oversight” hearings on TSCA in 2013, and
two “legislative” hearings on discussion draft in 2014.
Democratic proposals for changes rejected. Reps. Latta and Johnson on subcommittee.
Problems with Both Bills
Both retain legal barriers from current TSCA that prevented action on asbestos.
Neither explicitly requires that pregnant women and children are protected from all known exposures.
Both allow chemicals to be set aside without a full safety review.
Both have sweeping pre-emption (nullification) of state chemicals rules.
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