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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Become a member today at www.theOEC.org.

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.