By Rita R. Robison
Environmental Working Group thinks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Chemical Data Reporting rule falls short in protecting consumers.
Senior scientist David Andrews issued the following statement about the proposed rule:
The fact that EPA does not annually track what chemicals are produced or imported in the United States is a serious failure of modern chemical policy. Basic chemical production and use information is necessary to assess risk to human health and the environment, and EPA has taken some steps in collecting more information.
However, the high reporting threshold and infrequent data collection leave EPA and the public with inadequate information to safeguard our children and the environment. Chemical companies provide quarterly reports on production and sales figures to shareholders. Why shouldn't the public and EPA receive similar reports every year about commonly used chemicals, some of which could pose a serious health risk?
See the EWG’s “Chemical Industry Has Timely Information for Investors Not the Public” for more information.
