Chemical safety bill would prevent stronger state laws

Environment America

WASHINGTON, DC – House and Senate negotiators reached agreement yesterday on legislation to overhaul the nation’s 40-year-old law governing toxic chemicals. The bipartisan measure drew criticism from environmental and public health groups. Margie Alt, Environment America executive director, issued this statement:

“For more than a decade, states have been in the forefront of decisive action to reduce threats from toxic chemicals. And so, while we commend lawmakers for striving to overhaul national toxics policy, we’re disappointed their compromise limits the states’ ability to enact tougher laws. We cannot afford to hamper state efforts to protect our health and environment.”