Environmental Health Related Policy

Toxic Chemical Reform

Momentum Builds in Congress to Overhaul U.S. Chemicals Policy 

New Polling Data Indicates Overwhelming Public Support for Chemicals Regulation

New Report Demonstrates Reductions in Toxic Chemical Exposure Would Make Americans Healthier, Wealthier

Landmark Chemical Legislation Introduced to Protect the Health of American Families

Learning about Safer Chemicals and the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Advocacy Coalition
Learn more about toxic chemicals and current policy measures to protect the public from environmental exposures, including the Safer Chemicals Act of 2011.
Learn about proposed overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Developed by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment’s Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative
February 20, 2008 (revised July 1, 2008)
This consensus statement outlines the current scientific understanding of the links between environmental factors and learning and developmental disabilities. It also identifies important research areas that hold promise of further advancing our understanding of these links. This statement is intended as a guide to scientists, medical professionals, policymakers, public health advocates, and the general public in advancing their efforts to address the important individual and social issues raised by learning and developmental disabilities. Given established scientific knowledge, protecting children from neurotoxic exposures from the earliest stages of fetal development is clearly an essential public health measure. By reducing environmental factors that may lead to learning and developmental disorders, we will create a healthier environment in which all children can reach and maintain their full potential.

Policy Implications Based on the Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
From the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative
July 31, 2008
Given established scientific knowledge, protecting children from neurotoxic exposures from the earliest stages of fetal development is clearly an essential public health measure. By reducing environmental factors that may lead to learning and developmental disorders, we will create a healthier environment in which all children can reach and maintain their full potential.

"SAFER: State Alliance for Federal Reform of Chemicals Policy" Chemicals in commerce include pharmaceuticals, pesticides and a large number of industrial chemicals used in consumer products and for other purposes. Each of these large categories of chemicals is regulated by a governmental agency under the authority granted by specific pieces of legislation. Most nonpesticidal industrial chemicals are regulated by the US EPA under the authority as outlined in the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Unfortunately, as interpreted and implemented, TSCA has not been adequate to protect public health and the environment, especially for chemicals that have long been in use and that were grandfathered in when TSCA was adopted. The good news is that state and local governments are stepping up to the challenge presented by a system that is not effectively protecting our children's health and development. Several state-based coalitions composed of health, environmental, business and labor leaders are moving forward with practical policy solutions. These solutions are focused around reducing threats, promoting safer alternatives and creating new economic development opportunities. There are also personal and clinical resources to help individuals make informed decisions in their own lives. The following are SAFER states: Main, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, and California.

Environmental Health-Related Legislation

Lead in Children’s Products

Phthalates in Children’s Products

Ban on Exports of Elemental Mercury

Community Right-to-Know

Environmental Justice