Here are a couple of interesting posts from the Chemicals and Nanomaterials blog written by Environmental Defense Fund. The first one I’m linking to here describes the process the European Union employs for regulating chemicals of “very high concern.”

Source: “More progress under REACH: 13 more chemicals en route to the Authorization list,” Allison Tracy, chemicals policy fellow, Environmental Defense Fund, June 20, 2011

And here’s what happens in the United States…basically nothing. It’s amazing that there are something like 80,000 chemicals in use in the world today, and the United States sees fit to take industry’s word on their safety.

Source: “Waiting for Godot: 405 days and counting at OMB on EPA’s modest proposal to identify chemicals of concern under TSCA,” Richard Denison, senior scientist, Environmental Defense Fund, June 21, 2011

The European Union is definitely way ahead of the United States in protecting the public from exposure to chemicals.