Debra Coyle

Urge Your Representatives to Stand Up for First Responders and Public Safety Vote NO on House Joint Resolution 59 and Senate Joint Resolution 28 After the West Texas Fertilizer Explosion in 2013 that killed 15 people, including first responders, the Obama Administration focused on chemical policies. President Obama signed Executive Order 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security, to reduce risks associated with hazardous chemical incidents by enhancing the safety and security of chemical facilities; the EO also created an interagency working group including the Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Obama Administration spent more than three years conducting listening sessions and getting stakeholder input to strike the right balance while updating the Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Management Program (RMP).  RMP covers 12,500 commercial and industrial facilities that use or store large amounts of toxic chemicals. The final rule was issued January 13, 2017. The amendments were modest, but important steps for preventing chemical disasters. However, with the election of a new President, we can expect changes in chemical policies. The ink is barely dry in the federal register and House Joint Resolution 59 was introduced by Representative Markwayne Mullin (R –OK-2) and [...]

As of January 26, 2017, we believe the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is still exercising their new authority under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amended the outdated (and ineffective) Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). On Nov. 29, 2016, the EPA named the first ten priority chemicals for assessment. EPA is tasked with evaluating these chemicals to ensure there is not an unreasonable risk of injury to health.  This determination is made without consideration to costs. In determining risk, EPA is required to consider vulnerable populations including: workers, infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Although we have already witnessed changes at EPA, we do anticipate that TSCA reform work will continue to move forward. The 2016 reform was passed with bipartisan support. The ten priority chemicals to be evaluated are: 1,4-Dioxane, 1-Bromopropane, Asbestos, Carbon Tetrachloride, Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster, Methylene Chloride, N-methylpyrrolidone, Pigment Violet 29, Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene, and Trichloroethylene. Don’t recognize any of these chemicals? The Environmental Defense Fund has developed an excellent factsheet on products that contain these chemicals.  And for more information on how TSCA may impact workplaces, see the National Institute for Health Sciences Factsheet. [...]