M8.4 Blog Chemical Policy Reform Submit Assignment

Topic: Require Comprehensive Safety Data for All Chemicals 

This topic initially states that all chemicals must be publicly available for safety information about the chemical. The information must provide sufficient evaluation of the safety of the chemical for the human health and environment.The reform for Louisville Charter addresses the lack of the publicly available information about the effects of chemicals in our environment. There current U.S law does not require to voluntarily provide information about the chemicals.  Many resources do not disclose whether there is any evidence chemicals are hazardous during any types of exposure. The Louisville Charter is advocating for industries to provide reliable information to the public about the safety and chemicals use and how harmful they can be to our bodies and the environment. With the emerging research on chemical exposures that are harmful to our environment and body, more reveal their toxicity and with overtime exposure, are dangerous. 

The Toxic Substances  Control Act Passed by Congress in 1976, this enables the EPA to regulate toxic chemicals in the U.S. It is the only federal law that provides for regulation of most chemicals before and after they enter commerce. There are other environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act that regulates clean-up towards the environment workplace after chemicals are introduced. I find it interesting that much of the chemical information received by EPA under TSCA is not available to the public. Manufacturers don't have to  submit to EPA as confidential business information, and they do so routinely.

source: https://smartpolicyreform.org/the-charter/background-papers-for-the-louisville-charter/background-paper-5