Montana lawmakers join 30 states to protect kids and families from toxic chemicals.
Women’s Voices for the Earth
January 19, 2011
HELENA, Mont. –Montana legislators and advocates joined 30 states today in supporting pending federal legislation that would protect children and families from harmful chemicals. The move is in response to continued public concern over the presence of dangerous chemicals in common household products, coupled with Congressional inaction. Despite well-funded opposition from the chemical industry, 18 state legislatures have already passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin – with more to come this year.
“Montana has been uniquely impacted by weak chemical safety laws and there is no better example of this than what the people in Libby, Montana have had to suffer. If we had stronger chemical safety laws, the EPA could have addressed and remediated termolite asbestos contamination in that community much earlier and more effectively, thus preventing unnecessary exposure to the people of Libby and likely preventing illness and death” said Michele Reinhart (HD 97). “That’s why I am introducing a resolution to show that Montanans support stronger chemical safety laws, so we can avoid future tragedies like Libby. In this contentious legislative session, this is surely an issue both Democrats and Republicans can agree upon.”
