Americans very concerned about toxic chemical exposure, according to poll

Dec 18, 2009

Lake Research Partners conducted a poll of 1,000 registered voters in August that found Americans are very concerned about toxic chemicals and how they are regulated for consumer use in the United States. The poll was conducted as an overhaul of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is about to be introduced before both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The poll found that 87% of voters are concerned that the TSCA grandfathered in chemicals that existed prior to 1976 for production and use within the United States without any sort of testing or regulation. Additionally, 80% of voters were concerned that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was unable to ban the toxic substance asbestos under current federal law. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can cause mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. Another 84% of voters were concerned that the EPA has only mandated testing of about 200 of over 80,000 chemicals that have been on the market since 1976.

Americans across all demographics are willing to give the EPA the authority to protect consumers from chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which studies have associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, infertility and cancer.

According to the poll, a majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents would support legislation that would remove toxic chemicals from the markets if they have been detected in newborns and infants. The poll was commissioned by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition.

For the full story, go to PR News Wire.

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