# Americans to Congress: Give EPA the power to take immediate action on the most dangerous chemicals

*Published:* 2009-11-12
*Author:* 

*Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.*

The ***[Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families](http://www.saferchemicals.org/)*** campaign today released the [results of a nationwide poll](http://www.saferchemicals.org/2009/11/poll-finds-americans-very-concerned-about-exposure-to-toxic-chemicals.html) conducted in August by renowned pollster Celinda Lake of [Lake Research Partners](http://www.lakeresearch.com/). The most striking finding: Majorities of Republicans and Independents as well as Democrats strongly support adoption of new legislation that would give EPA the power to immediately restrict the use of dangerous chemicals.

It seems that all that’s left is for Congress to act …

The poll reached a demographically and geographically representative group of 1,000 registered voters across the country. It found that voters across political affiliations are seriously concerned about the [limitations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)](http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=90), including that:

- TSCA did not require testing and a demonstration of safety of the tens of thousands of chemicals in commerce in 1976 (87% of voters are concerned);
- EPA is unable to take dangerous chemicals off the market, even ones as dangerous as asbestos (80% concerned); and
- TSCA has allowed EPA to require testing for only a small fraction of chemicals on the market (84% concerned).

When various proposals for TSCA reform were described, large majorities of voters expressed strong support:

- “If a chemical is detected in babies at birth or in infants, it will be taken off the market” 
    - 84% of voters support
    - 60% strongly support: 
        - 66% of Democrats
        - 52% of Independents
        - 59% of Republicans
- “Exposure to other toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that have been extensively studied, will be reduced to the maximum extent possible” 
    - 85% of voters support
    - 59% strongly support: 
        - 69% of Democrats
        - 51% of Independents
        - 57% of Republicans

Voters also express strong support for a systematic overhaul of TSCA that requires the safety of all chemicals to be demonstrated:

- “A process will be created so that all chemicals in use must be tested and shown to be safe over the next 15 years” 
    - 81% of voters support
    - 57% strongly support (breakdown by political affiliation not available to me)

It seems that all that’s left is for Congress to act! Click here to help make sure they get the message: [EDF Action Alert: Help Strengthen America’s Toxic Chemicals Standards](https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1640)

And to learn more about this issue, visit our [website](http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=90) and [blog](http://www.edf.org/chemandnano).