Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) : Implementation and New Challenges / Congressional Research Service.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Congressional Research Service, author, issuing body.

Series:

CRS report for Congress, RL34118

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Environmental risk assessment.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (12 pages).

Place of Publication:

Washington, District of Columbia : Congressional Research Service, 2008.

Summary:

TSCA regulates potential risks of industrial chemicals in U. S. commerce, based on three policies: (1) Chemical manufacturers and processors are responsible for testing chemicals to determine their potential effects on health and the environment; (2) EPA should regulate chemicals that present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment; and (3) EPA's implementation of the law shoul [...] The House and Senate each passed bills in both the 92nd and 93rd Congresses (in 1972 and 1973, respectively), but controversies over the scope of chemical screening prior to commercial production and distribution, level of costs, and the relationship to other regulatory laws stalled final action. [...] Policies and Intent TSCA established three general federal policies with respect to chemical substances and mixtures in U. S. commerce, ". that - ! [A]dequate data should be developed with respect to the effect of chemical substances and mixtures on health and the environment and that the development of such data should be the responsibility of those who manufacture and those who process such chem [...] In addition, Congress expressed its intent in TSCA, Section2(c): It is the intent of Congress that the Administrator shall carry out this Act in a reasonable and prudent manner, and that the Administrator shall consider the environmental, economic, and social impact of any action the Administrator takes or proposes to take under this Act. [...] Chemical Testing To attain these policy goals, TSCA Section 4 directs EPA to require chemical manufacturers and processors to conduct tests for existing chemicals if: (1) the manufacture, distribution, processing, use, or disposal of the chemical "may present an unreasonable risk" of injury to health or the environment; or (2) the chemical is produced in very large volume and there is a potential.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.