July
9, 2010
Contact: Oliver Bernstein, Sierra Club, 512.477.2152
President Obama Signs Landmark Formaldehyde Legislation
Enacting National Standards
New Law Will Protect Americans from Toxic
Substance
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Sierra Club
applauds President Obama and the bipartisan members of Congress who delivered
legislation that will protect consumers by enacting national standards for
formaldehyde in composite wood products. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike
Crapo (R-Idaho) co-sponsored the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act,
and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Vernon J. Elhers (R-MI)
had co-sponsored the House companion bill. House Committee on Energy and
Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) were also instrumental in passing this
legislation. President Obama signed the bill this week. President Obama signed
the bill this week.
"Without the action of Congress, better regulation of
formaldehyde could have taken many years longer," said Becky Gillette,
Formaldehyde Campaign Director for the Sierra Club. "This doesn't make up for
the illnesses of tens of thousands of families housed in Katrina trailers with
high formaldehyde levels. But it is encouraging to see that sometimes our
government works for the people instead of for the profits of big corporations.
Congress has taken a major step to protect people from unsafe levels of
formaldehyde."
The standards signed into law match those recently adopted
by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which dramatically reduce
formaldehyde off-gassing that can cause watery eyes, headaches, depression,
memory problems and cancer. People with existing respiratory conditions such as
asthma and emphysema are especially susceptible to formaldehyde’s toxic
effects.
Composite wood products are made from wood pieces, particles or
fibers bonded together with resin. Most contain some formaldehyde, and the new
law will significantly reduce formaldehyde levels in products such as furniture,
cabinets, shelving, countertops, flooring and molding.
"This legislation
demonstrates how a bipartisan collaborative effort can help ensure health and
safety for all Americans," said Leslie Fields, National Environmental Justice
and Community Partnerships Director of the Sierra Club. "Industry, community
activists and the environmental community worked hand in hand to ensure proper
standards for these products will be promulgated for the future."
The
Sierra Club and a broad coalition of groups and citizens concerned about public
health submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking
that the Agency adopt the more protective formaldehyde standards already in
place in California and extend them to manufactured housing. Key coalition
partners included the United Steelworkers and the National Center for Healthy
Housing. As the first organization to publicize the toxicity of
formaldehyde-laden emergency housing after Hurricane Katrina, the Sierra Club
has taken a lead role in fighting for better disaster assistance and stronger
regulations.
For more information, visit: http://www.sierraclub.org/toxics/formaldehyde/default.aspx
###
--
Oliver Bernstein
Senior
Communications Strategist
Sierra Club
Phone: 512.477.2152
Cell:
512.289.8618
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]
Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp
Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship
e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's
latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent
editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/