The 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act states that all chemicals are innocent until proven guilty, meaning all chemicals are safe until proven otherwise by the EPA. This process of proving a chemical “dangerous” or “unsafe” can take many years jeopardizing the health of us human citizens, since we are basically the guinea pigs of proving the dangers of the chemicals. This regulation of chemicals should have been changed long ago. While we wait for years, at times, to prove chemicals dangerous, the health of us human citizens is being put at risk. We have fallen into a cycle where the chemicals that are being given and, used by us citizens, that have proven to be “guilty” or “dangerous” for use are being replaced by more chemicals that are likely to be proven guilty/dangerous. And this cycle will continue putting our health and safety at stake! I propose change on this act to one that puts the health of us humans first!
One example I would like to mention is “Chlorpyrifos”, this chemical is widely used as a pesticide all over the US. It has been linked to causing permanent neurodevelopment disorders and lifelong intellectual disabilities on children, since they are most at risk from pesticidal use. This harmful chemical was banned from the US in August of 2021, but was later vacated and allowed back for usage in November of 2023. The reason being for it to be allowed back on the market was to test for “safe” ways to use it. How are they going to test for safe ways to use it? They will test the safer ways on us! And just like Chlorpyrifos, countless chemicals are being offered to us in the form of foods, detergents, cleaning supplies, etc, and basically tested for safety with us as the lab rats. Pick your poison, carcinogenic chemicals, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, corrosives? Are we to wait until we get cancer, reproductive issues, neurodevelopment disorders, irritated skin, respiration issues, disease, or wait until we die, to take that chemical which caused this or that and replace it with a new one which could potentially cause us the same issues? This regulation must be changed to one which ensures our safety and health first!