State victories add up to something better for all of us
As rates of diseases linked to chemical exposure continue to rise, states have been leading the way when it comes to protecting people and their environment from harmful chemicals. Could all of these state victories add up to a stronger national chemical law?
Our friends at Safer States have a great post about the California State Assembly’s recent passage of a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and whether we’ll soon be seeing more BPA-free products on the shelves and maybe even a federal ban of the chemical.
While the federal government has done little but express concern about BPA, California is the seventh state to take action to reduce exposures in the last two years. That the states are out ahead of Washington, DC on this issue isn't a surprise.
As rates of diseases linked to chemical exposure continue to rise, states have been leading the way when it comes to protecting people and their environment from harmful chemicals. Four states, including Washington, passed a ban on toxic flame retardants several years before the Environmental Protection Agency announced a nationwide ban on the chemicals late last year. It's also unlikely national limits on lead and phthalates in toys would have passed in August 2008 had Washington not passed the Children’s Safe Products Act and other state houses considered similar legislation.
In light of the federal government's slow reaction time, it's tempting to pass the buck and say the feds need to start taking the lead protecting our health. Yes, the federal government should be doing more to keep untested chemicals away from our kids and off store shelves. But the states have a role to play too.
States need to keep enacting common-sense limits on harmful chemicals to keep the pressure on the federal government and companies. And clearly, states are in the best position to know what toxics matter most within their borders and generally can act faster than the feds.
The ability of states to continue passing forward-thinking policies on toxic chemicals will no doubt be a point of contention as Congress begins debate on the Safe Chemicals Act, a bill introduced earlier this year to reform the way chemicals are regulated in the United States. This is important legislation and, as of now, preserves the abilities of states to take stronger action on chemicals if necessary. Let’s hope Congress continues to recognize the important role states play as the legislation makes its way to President Obama’s desk.
In the meantime, keep up the great work states! And who knows? Maybe the next state victory could be the one that puts a stronger federal chemical law over the top.
Photo courtesy Flickr user archibald jude.
