Pallone Calls for Toxic Chemicals Reform on Tour of NJ Chemical Facility

LONG BRANCH, NJ – At a chemical facility in Avenel, NJ today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, highlighted the progress in Congress and the importance to New Jersey of the TSCA Modernization Act. The legislation, which was formally introduced this week, has advanced to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee after recently passing a subcommittee by a unanimous 21-0 vote. It is a bipartisan effort to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to improve the protection of human health and the environment, and to give the public greater confidence in American-made chemicals and the products that contain them.

Protecting consumers from dangerous chemicals in commerce was a long-held priority of late U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and has been worked on for years by Congressman Pallone. New Jersey has one of the largest chemical industries in the country, making reform of the decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act critical.

“The TSCA Modernization Act would be a significant and positive step in ensuring that toxic chemicals are removed from everyday products, while encouraging continued innovation, growth, and leadership by New Jersey in this vital economic sector,” said Congressman Pallone. “I am proud to work to continue Senator Lautenberg’s legacy of leadership on chemical safety, and I look forward to working to get this breakthrough bill through the House with a strong bipartisan vote.”

Congress enacted TSCA in 1976 to give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to address the risks posed by the production and use of toxic chemicals in consumer products. However, because of limitations in the statute, it is widely agreed that TSCA has largely failed to fulfill its purpose. Learn more about the TSCA Modernization Act HERE.

The chemical facility tour today was held at the PQ Corporation facility in Avenel. PQ Corporation is a leading global producer of chemical products.