Updating the Toxic Substances Control Act to Protect Human Health

JAMA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 315 (15) ◽  
pp. 1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Trasande
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Toxic Substances Control Act

potential risk of cancer to humans; and chemicals which CAG reviewed because one or more of three organizations (The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the National Toxicology Program Bioassay Program, and the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) concluded that these chemicals are potential human carcinogens. Report of the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee to the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency Section 4(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (P.L. 94469) established the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee (lTC) with representation from many of the Federal research and regulatory agencies. This Committee has the continuing responsibility to identify and recommend to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, chemical substances or mixtures which should be tested to determine their hazard to human health or the environment. In the ITC review and recommendation of selected chemicals, priority attention given to those individual or groups of chemical substances or mixtures which are known to cause or contribute to, or which are suspected of causing or contributing to cancer, gene mutations, or birth defects. The list, and reasons for making each recommendation, are required to be published in the Federal Register. Since 1977, the lTC has published eight reports which contain a total of 46 chemical substances or categories of chemicals. One chemical has been removed from the 4( e) Priority List because EPA responded to the Committee's recommendation for testing. Toxic Substances Control Act: Substantial Risk Notification Under Section 8(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA), anyone who obtains information which reasonably supports the conclusion that a substance presents a substantial risk of injury to human health or the environment must notify the Environmental Protection Agency within days. These notices are then reviewed by the Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances. An initial evaluation of the substance is prepared containing, if appropriate, followup questions to the submitter, referrals

1994 ◽  
pp. 20-20
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Chemical Substances ◽  
Section 8 ◽  
Substantial Risk ◽  
Toxic Substances Control Act

Pushing the Environmental Regulatory Focus a Step Back: Controlling the Introduction of New Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act

1992 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-421
Author(s):  
Andrew Hanan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Environmental Laws ◽  
Environmental Destruction ◽  
Productive Process ◽  
Toxic Substances Control Act

Environmental destruction and its attendant effects on the animal world, including human beings, has moved to the forefront of United States and worldwide policy. The effect of this deterioration on human health is unclear. Much debate focuses on the cases of cancer, along with other diseases, that are environmentally induced. Congress has responded with various environmental laws. These laws focus primarily on controlling chemicals placed into the environment, largely by industry. This Note proposes that such a singular focus is inadequate and ultimately costly. A more sensible and efficient strategy to environmental protection places emphasis on controlling inputs to the productive process before the need arises to contain such substances. The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (“TSCA“) takes this approach. This Note reviews the means by which TSCA attempted to accomplish its goals and concludes that TSCA's implementation has largely been ineffective. The Note then discusses three possible explanations for TSCA's failure. Finally, the Note proposes how TSCA might be made more effective in regulating new chemicals.

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