• Toxic and Harmful Substances/TSCA

• Chemicals

TSCA Reform Efforts Turn to Biomonitoring Studies for Support

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., February 12, 2010

Biomonitoring, the science of measuring human exposure to chemicals through analysis of bodily fluids, has taken center stage in current debates about amending the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”).  Most of the time, biomonitoring results tell us nothing about the health consequences, if any, of the exposure levels detected.  Nevertheless, advocates for changing TSCA are citing biomonitoring results, some produced for advocacy purposes, as evidence that this 1976 statute has failed to protect the public from the adverse effects of chemicals.  They recently received a boost from a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”).  Biomonitoring-based advocacy contributed to the passage of Europe’s REACH legislation and could play a similar role with TSCA.  This was suggested by a recent Senate hearing ostensibly about biomonitoring but mostly intended to build support for TSCA legislation expected to be introduced soon.

To read the full alert on biomonitoring and the CDC report, please click here.