Environmental watch
Unlabeled and Under-legislated Toxins in US Products
We heard journalist Mark Schapiro, editorial director of the Center for Investigative Reporting, talk about toxins in US products and our lack of adequate legislation on NPR’s Fresh Air–and were surprised and refreshed by his approach to the issue.
He explores the questions of why the European Union has become a leader in environmental legislation, why the US lags behind, and what that means for US consumers and companies.
The NPR interview description lacks some allure, trust us, his discoveries are fascinating.
A few points we’re still thinking about:
• The EU has state funded health care and campaign finance reform–they’re proactive about keeping their citizens healthy and less swayed by corporate pressure.
• The FDA and EPA have a much higher hurdle before they’ll issue a warning or ban a chemical or product. The EU commissions studies to uncover the toxic content of products, and their potential affect on health and environment.
• The EU is a larger market than the US. US companies are responding to EU bans on chemicals in a range of products. For example, the EU recently banned lead and three other toxic chemicals in computers and electronics. US engineers explained the new legislation to Silicon Valley companies and they figured out how to make the same products without the toxins.
• Schapiro is struck by the ability of the US cosmetic and food industry to put toxins and processed ingredients in products without revealing their content on the labels. The rules protect companies more than consumers.
• In the US, often environmental groups rather than the US government are evaluating products for toxins and health risks. We didn’t know that 33 popular lipsticks contain lead until the Environmental Working Group tested lipsticks.
• Schapiro shares his frustration with the runaround argument between environmentalists claiming toxins must be eliminated from products, and corporations explaining that it costs too much to change these integral ingredients, which aren’t that bad anyway.
His research reveals that companies can make the changes to eliminate toxins when they’re motivated by EU legislation–without financial losses. The laws create a floor that companies must meet before their products can be sold in the EU.
• The EU is becoming a world leader in environmental legislation.
Schapiro’s book is Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What’s at Stake for American Power
Recent EU environmental news: EU environmental officials have determined that two forms of genetically modified (GMO) corn could “harm butterflies, affect food chains and disturb life in rivers and streams.” (NY Times)
The GMO corn is produced by US companies.
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