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Attar, Masey: Federal chemical policy reform can protect health and jobs
Safer jobs, products will spur innovation among companies
By Kathy Attar and Chris Masey | March 6, 2014 | Updated: March 6, 2014 8:51pm
For the past 21 years, the Port of Houston has been ranked first in U.S. imports, and is a major driver of industry for Texas and the U.S.
However, imports and exports are only a portion of this successful industry hub. Other chief economic engines include the construction and petrochemical industry, which both employ large numbers of area residents. Despite the impressive economic statistics, almost a quarter of the people living in the 29th Congressional District of Texas, which includes most of the communities around the Houston Ship Channel and bordering nearby refineries and chemical plants, live below the poverty level, and the median household income is less than $37,000.
The environment and its impact on health are a common concern for local residents. Two neighborhoods in Houston demonstrate the connection between good health and environmental quality. East Houston-Settegast and Downtown-East End, have the largest proportion of residents in fair or poor health, according to the Health of Houston Survey. At the same time, residents face the largest number of environmental problems.
Houston area residents believe their environment is being adversely impacted by pollution. Almost 1 in 5 have concerns about their drinking water, hazardous waste dumping and being exposed to air pollution. Studies have proven time after time that lower-income residents suffer disproportionately from these environmental hazards.
One way to improve health while also keeping Houston competitive in trade is the enforcement of smart environmental protections. Federal chemical policy reform done right can protect the health of area workers and their communities, drive innovation and create jobs.
Updating the Toxic Substance Control Act, the federal law that regulates and manages chemicals, to protect public health will allow Houston workers to have safer jobs while making safer products.
By taking steps toward sustainable production, prompted by sensible and health-protective chemical policy reform, area chemical manufacturers can become more competitive by:
1 lowering costs for industry;
1 guaranteeing access to important global markets;
1 limiting future cost pressures from non-renewable fossil-fuel inputs,
1 and meeting demands from consumers for safer and more sustainable products.
Furthermore, reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace and in our communities will improve health by controlling preventable causes of disease. There is a growing body of research linking chemical exposures to numerous chronic conditions that have an impact on the daily lives of our communities, including cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, reproductive health and fertility problems and asthma.
Federal chemical policy reform must:
1 require chemical testing to ensure that the chemicals are safe to remain in use, rather than requiring that they be shown harmful in order to be removed;
1 address the special vulnerabilities of children, pregnant women, workers and communities heavily affected by toxic chemicals;
1 preserve the power of state government to regulate chemicals,
1 and require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to move quickly on the worst chemicals, including bans and phase-outs where necessary.
Texans deserve to have safe and healthy lives. As part of the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition, the Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility is calling on all elected officials to support reform of the Toxic Substance Control Act to building a cleaner, more efficient, American economy that will create jobs and protect public health and safety.
Kathy Attar is Toxics Program manager for Physicians for Social Responsibility. Chris Masey is director of Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility.