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Landmark TSCA Reform Legislation Introduced in U.S. Senate

4/22/2011

On April 14, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., along with Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and others, introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 which would overhaul the 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Background
TSCA was enacted by Congress in October 1976 and became effective January 1, 1977. TSCA mandated the U.S. EPA (EPA) to protect the public from “unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment” by regulating the manufacture and sale of chemicals through reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. TSCA addresses the production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon and lead-based paint. TSCA is currently administered by EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS).

The original version of the Lautenberg bill legislation was first introduced in 2010. Subsequently, hearings were conducted to solicit feedback from stakeholder groups from the scientific and medical community, chemical industry, public officials and non-profit organizations, resulting in several changes to the bill. Read more ...