Abstract
Since 1976 the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has given the federal government the power to require that chemicals are properly tested and regulated before they reach the market, and that they don’t pose unreasonable risks to human and environmental health. TSCA is the key piece of legislation governing the way the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviews and regulates chemicals including solvents and constituents of paints, fuels, and plastics. Yet, concerns persist about chemical safety and the adequacy of regulation. Now, in a June 2005 report titled Chemical Regulation: Options Exist to Improve EPA’s Ability to Assess Health Risks and Manage Its Chemical Review Program, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reviewed the EPA’s efforts to control the risks of new chemicals not yet in commerce, to assess the risks of existing chemicals used in commerce, and to publicly disclose information provided by chemical companies under TSCA. The report points out shortcomings in TSCA and its implementation, and suggests ways to strengthen the law.
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