2 Feb 2010
- Reductions in Toxic Chemicals Would Make Americans Healthier & Wealthier
A new report, “The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act,” found the U.S. has the opportunity to prevent rising rates of chronic disease and reduce health care costs by overhauling federal chemical policy. Evidence is strong and growing that chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many chronic diseases, according to this new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science. As the U.S. debates the costs of health care and its reform, “The Health Case” documents the enormous health care costs of treating cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, asthma and other diseases and conditions linked to chemical exposure. By updating toxic chemical laws, the report found that Congress would reduce exposure to chemicals contributing to chronic diseases. Conservative estimates show that reducing the incidence of these diseases by just 0.1 percent could save $5 billion in health care costs. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has identified comprehensive reform of the toxics law as a key Obama Administration priority, stating that the law fails to provide EPA with the authority it needs to ensure chemicals are safe. Learn more about the new report.
| Tell Congress that reforming the nation’s toxics law will make the American people healthier and wealthier. |
