EPA Is Faulted as Failing to Shield Public From Toxins

[ElsewheresDaughter]

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-toxics13jul13,1,1895128.story?coll=la-news-environment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is failing to protect the public from tens of thousands of toxic compounds because it has not gathered data on the health risks of most industrial chemicals, according to a report by the investigative arm of Congress to be released today.

The report by the Government Accountability Office found that chemical companies had provided health data to the EPA for about 15% of chemicals that had been introduced over the past 30 years.

In addition, the report said the EPA had sought information about health dangers for fewer than 200 of the tens of thousands of industrial compounds that had been in use since before the late 1970s.

"EPA does not routinely assess existing chemicals, has limited information on their health and environmental risks, and has issued few regulations controlling such chemicals," the report said. The investigators concluded that the environmental agency "lacks sufficient data to ensure" that the public is protected.

About 80,000 chemicals are used by U.S. industries, and scientific studies suggest that many pose health threats, such as cancer, birth defects, altered sex hormones and damage to developing brains. Included are many substances — such as flame retardants in furniture and electronics, phthalates in cosmetics and various chemicals in plastics — that people are exposed to in everyday products

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[Lindacooks]

1. Ever since Reagan, I've thought EPA stood for

Every Polluter Acceptable.

[Not_Giving_Up]

2. No kidding

I live in the Houston area. Every time a plant blows, they tell us nothing hazardous was released. Shelter in place is usually ordered at first (close your doors and windows, kill your air), but they lift it. Then, some news guy starts naming off chemicals that were realeased or are burning. Yeah, those are GOOD for us?