Waxman, Stupak probe environmental effects flame retardant chemicals

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) is pushing manufacturers of flame retardant chemicals to cough up information about their products ahead of a hearing next month on use of the compounds in consumer goods.

Waxman and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) sent letters Monday to three chemical companies -- Albemarle Corporation, Chemtura Corporation, and ICL Performance Products -- asking a series of detailed questions.

The lawmakers are seeking a broad amount of environmental and health information -- such as toxicity tests and risk assessments if they exist -- from the companies, as well as many other documents and data on volumes manufactured and sold.

The committee, announcing the probe Monday, said the lawmakers have a number of concerns about flame retardants used in fabrics, plastics and foams of various products.

“Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), chemical manufacturers are not required to perform any toxicity testing on chemicals prior to release into the marketplace,” the announcement states.

“However, the persistent and bioaccumulative nature of flame retardant chemicals raises concerns regarding their impact on human health and the environment.  A growing number of peer-reviewed studies suggests a possible link between exposure to certain flame retardant chemicals and neurological, developmental, fertility, and reproductive problems in animals and in humans,” it adds.