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Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.
Please help me welcome to the true mainstream of scientific and medical thought the seemingly radical yet commonsense notion that chemical exposures are a significant contributor to cancer, many types of which are rising in incidence even as overall rates decline.
This morning, the President’s Cancer Panel released its 2010 report [available here]. The report is remarkable not so much for its core finding that chemical exposures are a major factor in human cancer, but rather because of its source — an authoritative and bipartisan body — and because of the strong linkages it makes to our failed chemicals policies.
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:
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? (more…)
Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.
Sound chemicals management and control demands sound information. The Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition believes information sufficient to determine a chemical’s safety needs to be provided for all chemicals, as a condition for them to enter (for new chemicals) or remain (for existing chemicals) on the market.
Needed chemical information is not limited to test data, and even for types of data that can be derived from testing, alternative sources and approaches may be appropriately used. Given the large number of chemicals for which information is needed, the availability of various sources of information, and the desirability of minimizing cost and use of laboratory animals, all reasonable efforts should be made to use existing information and data derived from the use of validated alternative methods – as long as the information they provide is current and scientifically reliable.
But who needs such information? (more…)
Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.
Today, at long last, legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) hit the streets. A bill, the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010, was introduced by Senator Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate. And just to keep things interesting and all of us on our toes, Congressmen Rush and Waxman today released the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010 that is similar but not identical and is in the form of a discussion draft, rather than a bill.
It’s been a long road to get here, but of course this is only the end of the beginning.
EDF and the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families coalition support the new legislative language and believe it includes most of the elements needed to move our outdated and broken chemical safety system into the 21st century. We also will be seeking improvements in several areas as the bill moves forward.
For our coalition’s initial perspective on the positive aspects as well as some of the shortcomings of the legislative proposals, see the news release we issued today. We will also soon be posting an analysis that aligns the bill’s and discussion draft’s provisions with the planks of our platform, and I’ll provide an update with a link here. (more…)
Cal Baier-Anderson, Ph.D., is a Health Scientist.
Yesterday the Washington Post reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is acknowledging that new research raises “valid concerns” about the possible health effects of triclosan, an antimicrobial chemical that can be found in dozens of consumer products as diverse as soaps, personal care products, cutting boards, plastic sandals and even bath towels.
Originally developed as a surgical scrub for use by doctors and nurses, the burgeoning uses of this pesticidal chemical have hugely expanded human and environmental exposures. With little evidence of any actual public health benefits from such uses, FDA along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) should move quickly to limit triclosan use. Only those uses that have a demonstrable public health benefit, when weighed against potential health and environmental risks, should be allowed. (more…)
Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.
Congratulations are in order for a prize awarded today to the Coalition for Chemical Safety (CCS), about which I have blogged frequently over the last several months. As reported today on the front page of the Huffington Post, CCS received second place in the coveted “Best Pranks of 2010” contest. Quite an honor for such a new kid on the block.
The contest was judged by those intrepid faux captains of industry, the Yes Men, who know a good PR ruse when they see one. And while this contest was an April Fool’s Day special, the subterfuge continues daily at CCS’ website.
