Will the New Federal Chemicals Policy Adequately Protect Public Health? Understanding the Strengths, Limitations, and Implications of the Lautenberg Act

President Obama signed the Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act into law in June 2016, the first major overhaul of federal chemicals policy since the Toxic Substances Control Act was enacted in 1976. The new law gives EPA important new powers to require chemical testing and to regulate chemicals based on health and environmental factors. It also includes explicit mandates to protect vulnerable populations. But will this new law truly safeguard present and future generations from toxic exposures? How will the law be implemented and what are the implications? Our presenters discuss the strengths and limitations of the new bill as well as what we can do as citizens to ensure that the law is implemented in the best way possible in order to protect public health.