the American Academy of Pediatrics Monday called for an overhaul of the Federal law governing toxic chemicals in the environment, in 35 years saying it fails to protect children and pregnant women.
"It is widely recognized have been ineffective in the protection of children, pregnant women and the general population of hazardous chemicals on the market", the Academy said in a policy statement to be published in the may issue of the journal Pediatrics.
The American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association have previously called for changes in the law on toxic substances.
Products toxic chemicals find their way into the uterus.
Among the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics:
-The consequences of the use of chemicals on children and their families should be a "core component" of the new chemical policy.
-Chemical products must meet the standards similar to those required for new drugs or pesticides.
-Decisions for the prohibition of chemical substances should be based on reasonable levels of concern, rather than demonstrated harm.
-The effects on the health of chemicals should be monitored after they are on the market, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should have the power to remove a chemical market if it considered dangerous.
Because the Toxic Substances Act took effect in 1976, the EPA has tested only 200 of 80,000 chemicals in trade and regulated only five.
"Right now, a company produces a chemical and put it outside the market and harvest the economic reward," said Dr. Jerome Paulson, lead author of the statement of policy. "And then the public is responsible for the tent to discover if there is no prejudice associated with the use of the chemical." And then it is almost a criminal procedure, which requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.
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Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey earlier this month introduced the Act on chemical products without danger of 2011. The Act would require chemical manufacturers demonstrate the safety of industrial chemicals used in household products every day.
The chemical American Council, the industry trade group, recognizes 1976 Act needs to be updated.
"We are in agreement that the Toxic Substances Control Act should be modernized to ensure the safe use of chemicals and the innovation of new products," Scott Jensen of the American Chemical Council wrote in a statement to CNN.
"Chemical products should be safe for their intended use and potential risks faced by children should be an important factor in the decisions of the safe use," he added.
Children face particular risks because they eat, to drink and breathe more weight by weight than adults, and they spend more time on the ground or on the ground than adults, a possible source of exposurethe American Academy of Pediatrics noted in its statement of policy
Also, organization of Pediatricians noted, exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment can harm fertility. For example, a study found women exposed to levels higher diphenyl ether flame retardants polybrominated took much more time to become pregnant.
In its policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that its 60,000 member pediatricians familiar with adverse effects on the health of the chemicals in the environment.
The U.S. chemical industry is a $ 674 billion company, which employs 800,000 people, according to industry group. Chemical manufacturers said the volume of annual production of 27 billion pounds, according to the latest data from the LFS.
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