New Polling Data Indicates Overwhelming Public Support for Chemicals Regulation
Thursday, September 23, 2010
By: Amanda Glensky

Overhaul of dated regulations needed

New public opinion research conducted by the Mellman Group in key electoral “swing” districts has found overwhelming public support for reforming the federal government’s dated system of managing chemicals. According to the results, released Sept. 14, respondents from across the political and demographic spectrum expressed serious concerns about everyday exposure to toxic chemicals and want to see stronger federal regulation.

The Autism Society is a member of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a coalition of 250 environmental health groups that commissioned the research. According to the findings, 84 percent of respondents said “tightening controls” on chemical regulation is important, with 50 percent calling it “very important.” The majority of respondents, 73 percent, said the threat posed by everyday exposure to toxic chemicals is serious. And after hearing both sides of the debate, a large majority (66 percent) preferred a candidate for political office who supports chemical reform.

“There is a strong base of research suggesting a potential link between autism and environmental toxins,” Autism Society President and CEO Lee Grossman said. “We strongly believe in the importance of toxic chemical reform, believe it to be long overdue and that it can directly improve the lives of many people including those individuals on the autism spectrum.”

As the only autism organization in Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, the Autism Society has consistently applauded steps toward overhauling the existing standards established in the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which has exposed individuals to more than 80,000 potentially toxic chemicals due to poor regulation.

Click here for more information about the study from Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.