Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.
As I noted in my last post, EDF and the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition believe TSCA needs to ensure that basic safety data are developed and made available for all chemicals in commerce. Such information is:
- a core element of the public’s right-to-know;
- embodied in the “no data, no market” concept already in place under the EU’s REACH; and
- most importantly, critical for identifying BOTH:
- chemicals of concern we have not yet identified, due to data gaps; and
- chemicals presenting little or no concern, which may serve as safer alternatives to chemicals of concern but we need to be able to identify with greater confidence.
The chemical industry’s opposition to comprehensive data requirements is an inherent contradiction: It is often the first to claim “regrettable substitution” when a chemical is restricted, asking: “How do we know the substitute is any better?” The answer is we often won’t – UNLESS we take a comprehensive approach to data development
So what types of data, and how much, should comprise a minimum safety data set? And when should it be submitted? Read More
Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.