Statement

GAO Report Highlights Need for Coordinated Biomonitoring Research and Interpretation

ARLINGTON, VA (June 12, 2009) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) recognizes public concern about the health and environmental impact of chemical products.  The recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on biomonitoring highlights the need for EPA to develop a comprehensive research strategy to improve its ability to use biomonitoring in its risk assessments, and for the government to increase its coordination of biomonitoring research across agencies.  The ACC and our member companies wholeheartedly support such endeavors. However, the GAO’s call for EPA to consider having companies do extensive human biomonitoring under TSCA is problematic.  We believe that the gold standard for human biomonitoring studies should remain with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  CDC is unsurpassed in its credibility and scientific know how in designing, implementing and reporting human biomonitoring studies.

ACC believes that biomonitoring holds great promise for helping society better understand potential risks from low level exposures to chemicals we encounter in our environment and will ultimately help industry and government improve risk-based decision making. 

Americans must have confidence in how the federal government regulates chemicals to protect public health and safety.  To that end, the chemistry industry supports America’s need for a modernized regulatory system that reflects the scientific and technological innovations achieved over the last 30 years. 

ACC members are proud of the products, like life saving vaccines, solar panels and clean water that make life and the environment better and healthier.  To continue to protect, and to further enhance, health, safety and the environment, ACC members will continue to work with, government and scientific organizations to find answers to the remaining questions around biomonitoring and promote the use modern technologies and integrated testing strategies to bring 21st century knowledge to the forefront for evaluating chemical hazards and risks.