Testimony to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

In support of H. 757 & S. 442

An Act for a Competitive Economy through Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals

November 2, 2009

By, Lynn Wolbarst, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Environmental and Natural Resources Specialist

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts strongly supports H. 757 & S. 442 as a practical way to protect the public health and the environment.

 Research in the US and internationally recognizes the toxicity of a variety of chemicals used in consumer products (e.g. lead in toys, flame retardants in electronics, phthalates in plastics, organophosphate pesticides in lawn care). These chemicals have been associated with cancer, asthma, autism, birth defects, infertility, diabetes and other chronic and acute diseases.

Biomonitoring studies show that these chemicals are in us. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and other researchers have been tracking levels of over 200 industrial chemicals in our bloodstreams. Many, like phthalates and flame retardants, have shown rising levels over the past two decades. These chemicals come from industrial processes as well as everyday products like cosmetics, plastic bottles, cookware, and electronics. We are exposed either directly through ingesting, absorbing, and breathing these chemicals or indirectly as these products are manufactured and later incinerated or buried in landfills. The good news is that levels of chemicals that have been regulated, lead for example, have shown a downward trend over the past 2 decades, proving that legislation has an impact.

There is a regulatory gap that allows products such as toys, cosmetics, electronics, and cookware to reach consumers with minimal oversight or regulation. This bill creates a comprehensive, science-based, economically-feasible chemical policy in Massachusetts that specifies certain toxic chemicals in wide consumer use be replaced with safer alternatives.

The bill expands the successful Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) to include consumer products. Since taking effect in 1989, TURA and TURI has helped Massachusetts manufacturers reduce their toxic chemical use by 40%, reduce toxic byproducts by 71% and toxic releases to the environment by over 90%. The program has been recognized as a national and international model for pollution prevention. This bill would use the same proven approach to chemical reduction that has worked with manufacturers in Massachusetts and apply it to chemicals in consumer products.

This bill would work with Massachusetts businesses to replace designated toxic chemicals in consumer products with safer alternatives and seeks to improve the competitiveness and growth potential for Massachusetts businesses by transitioning to innovative products and clean technologies, which will benefit public health and the environment.

The Safer Alternatives bill will prevent future public health disasters. This bill seeks to mitigate future health disasters that scientists are already warning us about. If we’ve learned anything from historic environmental problems like lead paint and asbestos, it is to listen to the impartial scientists and not the companies who profit from these products. Companies do not have any incentive to change their products as long as they’re making a profit, consumers are buying, and government is allowing it. As legislators, you can play a key role and change the future for the better by supporting this bill and preserving public health and the environment for generations to come

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts urges you to report H. 757 and S. 442 out of committee with a positive vote and work to see that it is passed into law this session.