Toxic chemicals need more regulating

Most people believe that we have a law protecting us from hazardous chemicals known to cause birth defects, learning disabilities, asthma, childhood cancers, reproductive abnormalities, breast and testicular cancer, and other health problems. We don’t. Thirty-five years have gone by since Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act, but the Environmental Protection Agency has been able to require testing of only 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals produced and used in the United States. Only five chemicals have been regulated under the law. Therefore, dangerous chemicals including lead, mercury, asbestos and formaldehyde are still allowed to be used in everyday products, despite their known risks to public health.

Meanwhile, chronic diseases are on the rise. Leukemia, brain cancer and childhood cancers have increased by more than 20 percent since 1975. Autism has increased more than 10 times in the last 15 years. And difficulty in conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy affected 40 percent more women in 2002 than in 1982. As pediatricians and public health professionals, we have a moral obligation to do something about this, and now is our opportunity. Pending in Congress is a bill that would finally overhaul our outdated, failed chemicals policy. The Safe Chemicals Act would strengthen our ability to ensure chemicals used in everyday products are safe.

Recently, the Illinois legislature unanimously passed a resolution urging Congress to take action and reform our chemical policy. We want to join their voice, and urge Senator Mark Kirk to step up and co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act this session to protect the health and safety of Illinois’ citizens.

Dr. Anders Abelmann

Chair, Environmental Health Section of the Illinois Public Health Association.

Kena R. Norris

Chief Operating Officer

Illinois Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics