"Senate Approves Update of Toxic-Chemical Regulations"

"WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to an overhaul of the nation’s 40-year-old law governing the use of toxic chemicals in homes and businesses, sending the bill to President Obama for his expected signature.

The Senate passed the measure on a voice vote; the House approved it last month, 403 to 12. The measure would update the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, requiring new testing and regulation of thousands of chemicals used in everyday products as varied as laundry detergents and car seats. However, some public health and environmental advocates have criticized the legislation, saying that while it slightly strengthens the existing law, the bill’s authors ceded too much to chemical companies.

Public health advocates and environmentalists complained for decades that the 1976 law was outdated and riddled with gaps that left Americans exposed to harmful chemicals. Under current law, around 64,000 chemicals are not subject to environmental testing or regulation."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times June 7, 2016.