Press Release of Senator Lautenberg

Lautenberg Introduces “Safe Chemicals Act” to Protect Americans from Toxic Chemicals

Measure Will Require Safety Testing for Chemicals

Contact: Lautenberg Press Office (202) 224-3224
Thursday, April 15, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced legislation to overhaul the “Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976” (TSCA), an antiquated law that in its current state, leaves Americans at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals. Lautenberg, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health, introduced the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010” to protect the health of families and the environment.

“America’s system for regulating industrial chemicals is broken,” said Senator Lautenberg. “Parents are afraid because hundreds of untested chemicals are found in their children’s bodies. EPA does not have the tools to act on dangerous chemicals and the chemical industry has asked for stronger laws so that their customers are assured their products are safe. My ‘Safe Chemicals Act’ will breathe new life into a long-dead statute by empowering EPA to get tough on toxic chemicals. Chemical safety reform is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it is a common-sense issue and I look forward to building bipartisan support for this measure.” 

The “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010” requires safety testing of all industrial chemicals, and puts the burden on industry to prove that chemicals are safe in order stay on the market. Under current policy, the EPA can only call for safety testing after evidence surfaces demonstrating a chemical is dangerous. As a result, EPA has been able to require testing for just 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals currently registered in the United States and has been able to ban only five dangerous substances. The new legislation will give EPA more power to regulate the use of dangerous chemicals and require manufacturers to submit information proving the safety of every chemical in production and any new chemical seeking to enter the market.

Over the last several months, Sen. Lautenberg has chaired a series of hearings to help craft the “Safe Chemicals Act” with dozens of witnesses including business leaders, public officials, scientists, doctors, academics, and non-profit organizations. Through the hearings, public health groups, environmentalists, industry representatives and the EPA have expressed support for reforms to our nation’s toxic substance laws. The “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010” comports with the reform principles laid out by the Obama Administration, the American Chemistry Council and the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition.

The text of the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010″ can be found here and a full summary of the bill can be found here.

Highlights of the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010”

• Provides EPA with sufficient information to judge a chemical’s safety. Requires manufacturers to develop and submit a minimum data set for each chemical they produce, while also preventing duplicative or unnecessary testing. EPA will have full authority to request additional information needed to determine the safety of a chemical.

• Prioritizes chemicals based on risk. Calls on the EPA to categorize chemicals based on risk, and focus resources on evaluating those most likely to cause harm.

• Ensures safety threshold is met for all chemicals on the market. Places the burden of proof on chemical manufacturers to prove the safety of their chemicals. All uses must be identified and determined safe for the chemical to enter the market or continue to be used.

• Takes fast action to address highest risk chemicals. Requires EPA to take fast action to reduce risk from chemicals that have already been proven dangerous. In addition, the EPA Administrator is given authority to act quickly if any chemical poses an imminent hazard.

• Creates open access to reliable chemical information. Establishes a public database to catalog the information submitted by chemical manufacturers and the EPA’s safety determinations. The EPA will impose requirements to ensure the information collected is reliable.

• Promotes innovation and development of green chemistry. Establishes grant programs and research centers to foster the development of safe chemical alternatives, and brings some new chemicals onto the market using an expedited review process.

There is a handy guide from the Environmental Working Group on How to avoid Triclosan, the unsafe ingredient used as an anti-bacterial property.  Pass it on and help inform those you care about and your children’s school. Make the switch to regular, healthy soap, like castile. Cleanwell is a great alternative for anti-bacterial properites using Thyme oil. Seventh Generation is using CleanWell’s formula in their new wipes.

Here is a list of what products that don’t carry Triclosan.

What is Triclosan?
Triclosan, a chemical used for its antibacterial properties, is an ingredient in many detergents, dish-washing liquids, soaps (Anti Bacterial DIAL AND SOFT SOAP), deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, anti-microbial creams, various toothpastes, and an additive in various plastics and textiles. The safety of triclosan has been questioned in regard to environmental and human health. While the companies that manufacture products containing this chemical claim that it is safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide. Triclosan is also known as Irgasan and Microban.

1. Health risks
Researchers have raised concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as damaged liver, kidneys, heart and lungs, suppress the immune system, and cause hormonal disruption, paralysis, cancer, sterility and brain hemorrhages.

2. Resistant to Antibiotics
Scientists worry that because triclosan kills bacteria in a similar way as antibiotics, bacteria that become resistant to triclosan will also be resistant to antibiotics.

3. Same class as Toxic Pesticides (Dioxin)
The chemical formulation and molecular structure of this compound are similar to some of the most toxic chemicals on earth, relating it to dioxins and PCBs. The EPA gives triclosan high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk. Triclosan has not been completely tested and analyzed for all health and environmental risks, but since it occurs in the category of the chemicals which are known to have the detrimental effects described here, do you want it added to products you use every day

4. Environmental Effects
Triclosan is highly toxic to algae. Because algae are the first-step producers in aquatic ecosystems, researchers believe that high levels of triclosan discharged into the environment may destroy the balance of aquatic ecosystems. The risks are especially high immediately downstream from waste water treatment plants.

5. Triclosan and Allergies
Overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) is also linked to allergies. This is based on the “hygiene hypothesis,” which theorizes that there is a correlation between “too much hygiene” and increased allergies and asthma. The concept is that children who are raised in an overly clean environment have immune systems that are not challenged and thus do not develop and mature properly. This hypothesis is based on studies that have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma, and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic environments.

According to the American Medical Association, “Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them … It may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products ….”

Products Containing Triclosan

Soaps:

* Dial® Liquid Soap
* Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
* Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
* Provon® Soap
* Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
* Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
* Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
* DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
* Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
* CVS Antibacterial Soap
* pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser

Dental Care:

* Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash
* Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
* Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste

Cosmetics:

* Supre® Café Bronzer™
* TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
* Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
* Mavala Lip Base
* Jason Natural Cosmetics
* Blemish Cover Stick
* Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
* Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
* Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
* Dazzl

Deodorant:
* Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
* Right Guard Sport Deodorant
* Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
* Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant
* DeCleor Deodorant Stick
* Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisome
* X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant

Other Personal Care Products:
* Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
* Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
* Diabet-x™ Cream
* T.Taio™ sponges and wipes
* Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

First Aid:

* SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
* Solarcaine®
* First Aid Medicated Spray;
* Nexcare™ First Aid
* Skin Crack Care
* First Aid/Burn Cream
* HealWell® Night Splint
* 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban

Kitchenware:
* Farberware® Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards
* Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
* Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
* Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
* Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads

Computer Equipment:

* Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad

Clothes:
* Teva® Sandals
* Merrell Shoes
* Sabatier Chef’s Apron
* Dickies Socks
* Fruit of the Loom Socks
* Biofresh® Socks

Childrens Toys:
* Playskool® :
o Stack ‘n Scoop Whale
o Rockin’ Radio
o Hourglass
o Sounds Around Driver
o Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ball
o Animal Sounds Phone
o Busy Beads Pal
o Pop ‘n’ Spin Top
o Lights ‘n’ Surprise Laptop

Other:

* Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier

* Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose

* Thomasville® Furniture

* Deciguard AB Ear Plugs

* Bauer® 5000 Helmet

* Aquatic Whirlpools

* Miller Paint Interior Paint

* QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler

* Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer

* Blue Mountain Wall Coverings

* California Paints®

* EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails

* Dupont™ Air Filters

* Durelle™ Carpet Cushions

* Advanta One Laminate Floors

* San Luis Blankets

* J Cloth® towels

* JERMEX mops

Here are some guidelines on how to stay protected from bacteria without antimicrobials:

* Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Regular soap lowers the surface tension of water, helping it attach to and wash away unwanted bacteria. Lather your hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds and then rinse them off in warm water. It is important to wash your hands often, especially when handling food, before eating, after going to the bathroom, and when someone in your house is sick.

* picture of boy with hands to face Take time to teach children the correct way to wash their hands.

* Dry hands with a clean towel to help brush off any germs that did not get washed down the drain.

* Wash surfaces that come in contact with food with a detergent and water.

* Wash children’s hands and toys regularly to prevent infection.

Because triclosan has become so common in soaps and toiletries, be sure to carefully read all ingredients when buying these products. Triclosan is also known as Irgasan and Microban.

Schools:

Check with your school to see if it uses triclosan-containing products in its classrooms and bathrooms. If you feel like you need antibacterial protection, there are some essential oils that have antimicrobial properties, such as Australian tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract, which are sometimes included in natural soaps. Alcohol-based antibacterial soaps, such as Purell, do not carry the same risks of antibiotic resistance and dioxin contamination as triclosan-containing products. Cleanwell is a good solution!

Action:
Beyond Pesticides (formerly known as the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides. Be sure to check out their very informative pesticide fact sheets. You can call Beyond Pesticides in Washington D.C. at 202-543-5450.

TIP: If you are out and about and find that the restaurant or store you are at has soap in the bathroom from the list above, bring your own small castile liquid soap and wash your hands without chemicals.

Thank you for reading this important information and for encouraging your school to MAKE THE SWITCH TO REGULAR SOAP.

Which is why I’m so thrilled about Oregon Senate Bill 1032 <http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/smart-policy/2010-bpa-legislation-fact-sheet> , which would phase the toxic chemical out of all reusable food and beverage containers (think: baby bottles and sippy cups) and formula cans and baby food jars (single use) intended for children under 3.  ’Bout time.

You can help pass this bill – it’s easy!
If we don’t tell our state legislators that we’re tired of BPA and support this bill, how will they know how important it is to us?  Simple: they won’t. So here’s what you can do:

1. Email your state representative and senator NOW <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/587/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1879>  (just need your zip code).

2. Better yet, call ‘em.  All you have to say is, “Hi my name is ________ and I urge the representative/senator to vote YES on SB 1032 to ban BPA.  Thank you.”  It’s that simple. And that quick.  Get the phone numbers here <http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/> .

3. Join us this Thursday in Salem to show our legislators how much we want this.  Activistas will be there from 1 to 3 PM to “pack the hearing room.”  Thanks to the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) for bringing this bill so far and spearheading this grassroots effort.

4. Join OEC’s Healthy Kids Network <http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/healthy-kids-newsletter-signup>  to stay current on action  opportunities  - and their excellent eco-healthy home tips.

From OEC (Oregon Environmental Council), an amazing organization Eco Remedi salutes!