If there were ever a guide to help put to bed the all-too-common myths about chemicals in our daily lives, this might just be it. Making Sense of Chemical Stories, re-published in May by Sense About Science with support from the Royal Society of Chemistry, culls from the opinion of nearly two dozen independent scientists. And they […]
Archive: May, 2014
Congress must provide a strong foundation for chemical security regulations
When things start to go right they tend to not receive much attention in Washington, and such is the case with current efforts to improve the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). In a major milestone for the program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved the 750th site security plan this month. In its seven-year history, […]
White House agrees: Safety and innovation should be maximized, cost and benefit must be considered
Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy counsel, Bob Sussman, in a May 12 blog posted by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Family coalition, takes an unrealistic position on the role of cost benefit analysis in the Congressional efforts underway to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The position is seemingly based on a cursory […]
Reducing trade tariffs on environmental goods is a worthwhile idea, but what constitutes the “good”?
The chemical industry is strongly committed to the protection of health, safety and the environment in its operations. ACC supported the inclusion of environmental objectives in recent U.S. bilateral trade agreements, which highlight the potential for positive synergies between trade agreements and environmental objectives. It’s also important, however, to ensure that these environmental objectives don’t […]
Outstanding achievements among the 2014 Responsible Care® energy efficiency award winners
Many of the energy-saving materials and technologies in use around the world today rely on innovations in chemistry. But what about the companies that make these products – are they working to improve energy efficiency in their own operations? You bet. America’s chemistry industry walks the talk when it comes to saving energy. Since 1974, […]
Why American chemistry supports an ambitious U.S. trade agenda
For U.S. chemical manufacturers to succeed in today’s global economy, they must be able to compete effectively in international markets. This requires an ambitious trade agenda, including robust and comprehensive trade and economic partnerships, that can deliver enhanced access to overseas markets. In a welcome development, the role of trade in driving and reinforcing economic […]
What are the key challenges for improving risk assessments? Two experts weigh in
Two recurring themes at the 53rd meeting of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) in Phoenix, Arizona, were enhancing strategies for risk assessment and finding new ways to conduct safety assessments. Here are three questions (and some potential answers) that continue to drive the debate. What are the biggest issues for the future of risk assessment? […]
Improving regulatory oversight for safeguarding chemical facilities
Safeguarding chemical facilities and the surrounding communities is a top priority for ACC and our members. Thanks to the combination of industry and government programs, there has been great progress in enhancing the safety and security of chemical facilities across the nation. ACC members have moved aggressively to secure their facilities by adopting the widely-praised […]
NFPA’s open flame test, once developed, will become an important fire prevention resource
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently announced that its Standards Council has approved the development of a test for open-flame sources, such as candles, matches and lighters. This announcement is a step in the right direction. We have every reason to believe that the test will give furniture manufacturers a clear marker for determining […]
