Legislation to Curb Toxic Chemicals Sent to the Senate
In a decisive step towards protecting the public from the effects of unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals, the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture gave a “favorable report” to the An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals.
The Safer Alternatives Bill, as it is commonly called, was proposed by the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow in response to a growing body of scientific evidence linking exposure to hazardous chemicals to chronic diseases.
The Safer Alternatives Bill is designed to prevent diseases and disorders such as cancer, asthma, developmental or learning disabilities, infertility, diabetes and Parkinson’s.
If successful, the bill will designate “Priority Toxic Chemicals” and require safer alternatives to these chemicals wherever feasible.
“This bill is just common sense,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Co-Chair of the Environment Committee. “Where there are safer alternatives to the toxic chemicals that we are currently putting in our products, we should be using them.”
A majority of legislators in both houses of the Massachusetts legislature have co-sponsored the legislation, led by led by Representative Jay Kaufman (D-Lexington) and Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton). The Senate Ways and Means Committee is anticipated to consider The Safer Alternatives Bill next.
