Written on: June 3, 2013 by Don Farrell
U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) died on June 3. He was 89. The cause was viral pneumonia. Sen. Lautenberg played a key role in modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Lautenberg-Vitter “Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013,” introduced late last month, would:
• Require Safety Evaluations for All Chemicals;
• Protect Public Health from Unsafe Chemicals;
• Prioritize Chemicals for Review;
• Screen New Chemicals for Safety
• Secure Necessary Health and Safety Information;
• Promote Innovation and Safer Chemistry; and
• Protect Children and Pregnant Women.
Industry praised Lautenberg’s TSCA reform efforts, noting that if the Senator hadn’t supported the measure, co-sponsored by Senator David Vitter (R-LA), it never would have garnered widespread support in the Senate. In a statement, the Consumer Specialty Products Association said:
“Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) served in the US Senate with integrity, passion and commitment in all things, but none more so than his call to strengthen national policies to protect public health and advance chemical safety. The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) has been fortunate to have worked closely with him over the past five years on TSCA reform. We are saddened by his passing but know that his legacy is strong and will continue to provide leadership for others who follow.”
