Ask your Maine Senators to support The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011
Maine heroes have stepped up to the plate to defend our kids from toxic chemicals linked to serious health problems, from cancer and learning disabilities to diabetes and asthma. In 2008, Mainers came together to pass the common-sense Kid Safe Products Act to help phase-out toxic chemicals that pose a danger to our children. But all over Maine, too many parents still worry about buying products that are safe for their kids. Too many families suffer from health problems linked to chemical exposure. And too many businesses are plagued by high healthcare costs.
Maine can't go it alone!
80,000 chemicals are currently in use--and only 200 of them have been tested for safety. It's time for reform!
We need a hero in Congress who can build on Maine's common-sense laws by fixing our national chemical safety policies, which are badly broken. For 35 years the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)of 1976 has not protected the health and safety of our kids, allowing thousands of untested chemicals onto shelves and into our homes. Out of 80,000 chemicals in our products, barely 200 have been tested under TSCA – clearly, it’s time for reform.
We have a unique opportunity to fix this broken system.
The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847), introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, will immediately phase out chemicals that we already know are dangerous. It will also require safety testing for chemicals before they end up in our products, and provide a lot more information to consumers. Plus, this law would also reward innovative companies who are creating safer technologies.
We just learned that the Safe Chemicals Act is on-track for a Committee vote this fall!
We need the Senators' support now - TAKE ACTION!
It could be a matter of weeks before the Safe Chemicals Act makes its way out of committee. Now is the time for Senators Snowe and Collins to be our heroes by co-sponsoring the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011. Maine has already led the way passing state laws to phase out toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and BPA from every-day products. Now we need Maine's Senators lead the way to sensible chemical safety reform. Urge your Senators to act now!
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Tags: chemical reform, environmental toxicants, kid-safe products act, Maine, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, reproductive health, safe chemicals act of 2011, Senator Collins, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Snowe, toxic chemicals control act, TSCA
October 10th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
The potential for chemical reform is quite exciting, but it should be done in a way that doesn’t sacrifice millions of animals (for toxicity testing) in the name of better protection for human health and the environment. The revised bill should mandate and create market incentives to use nonanimal methods. We need to ensure that chemical testing is in line with the 21st century and relies on modern, human cell and computer-based methods that provide accurate data on how a chemical acts and what the impact on human health may be.
October 27th, 2011 at 11:18 am
I really hope that his one will have more benefits than inconvenients down the road!