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Main | NY Newsday, FL Times Union document diverse asbestos problems »

April 20, 2004

White House Undermined Chemical Tests

EWG has investigated scores of harmful industrial chemicals, the companies that produce them and the government policies that permit Americans to be exposed to them in their food, water and the air. Our research has repeatedly borne out the need to shift the burden of proof and require manufacturers to substantiate chemicals' safety before use in consumer products.

An April 2004 report by Democrats on the House Government Reform Committee reveals that for the past three years, top Bush administration officials worked closely with the U.S. chemical industry to hobble a European proposal to do just that.

Two-thirds of Americans mistakenly believe that government health officials test the safety of industrial chemicals before they are used in consumer products. Approximately 99 percent of chemicals sold are not subject to safety testing.

RELATED NEWS STORIES

• Inside EPA: State monitoring Efforts Lead to More Bans

• The New York Times: White House Undermined Chemical Tests, Report Says

• Scripps Howard News Service: Democrats criticize Bush effort against chemical regulations