Today, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation that would phase out chemicals known as PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative toxicants), a class that is the most dangerous to pregnant women and children and the environment generally. The “Protecting America’s Families from Toxic Chemicals Act” would empower the Environmental Protection Agency to identify and phase out PBTs within five years. The bill also identifies 22 known PBTs to expedite their phase out for non-essential uses.
Andy Igrejas, director of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a broad national coalition seeking reform of U.S. chemical policy said:
“Toxic chemicals are generally bad, but these are the worst, because they don’t degrade in the environment and they build up in the food chain. Who’s at the top of the food chain? Us. Human beings. Senator Merkley’s legislation takes the decisive action that is needed to address these dangerous chemicals. It is in line with international standards and the emerging best practices of many leading companies.”
More about PBTs
PBTs are uniquely hazardous to people and the environment because they persist in the environment for long periods of time and can travel to virtually every corner of the earth. They also accumulate in living organisms and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. Because of these characteristics, PBTs defy traditional chemical assessment and management methods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still finds widespread exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), more than 30 years after they were banned, though the levels have steadily dropped.
A growing body of scientific evidence links PBT chemicals to a wide range of serious human health problems, including early onset of puberty, infertility, endocrine disruption, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders and certain cancers.
PBTs have been targeted for elimination by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (the “POPs Treaty”) signed by former President George W. Bush. (The treaty was never ratified or implemented in the US.) They are also targeted by state and regional policies. Companies as diverse as Staples, Dignity Health, and Construction Specialties have targeted PBTs for elimination in their supply chains and work environments.
A press briefing was held today with reporters regarding this legislation, you may stream the audio here: