On January 4, the Washington Post published this article: Use of potentially harmful chemicals kept secret under law.
It begins, “Of the 84,000 chemicals in commercial use in the United States — from flame retardants in furniture to household cleaners — nearly 20 percent are secret, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, their names and physical properties guarded from consumers and virtually all public officials under a little-known federal provision.”
The article goes on to say that the policy was designed 33 years ago to protect trade secrets in a highly competitive industry. But now many–including the Obama administration–are recognizing that this law makes it impossible for regulators to control toxic chemicals in products for consumers to find out which toxic substances they might be exposed to.
Currently the law protects the financial interests of business while putting the health of consumers and the environment at risk.
The article gives one example of a nurse being exposed to a toxic chemical while treating a patient, and then herself having symptoms from the same chemical. She was unable to find out exactly what the chemical was.
In my opinion, there should be full disclosure of all substances and materials used in all consumer products. I’ve been saying this for decades. Otherwise, we cannot make informed decisions.
The Obama administration is working on reducing secrecy.
Fortunately, there are many nontoxic products available, made by companies who choose to not use secret chemicals. Many of these products can be found on this blog and listed on Debra’s List.
I want to thank everyone who sent me this article this week and all of you who continue, every day, to be vigilant about finding and sharing products we can all use that do not contain secret harmful chemicals.
