protecting chemical companies from babies
Is this the path to the vice presidential nomination?
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a strong backer of presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain, vetoed Monday a bill that would protect children from toxic substances in baby toys and also ban a highly toxic flame retardant. His veto message was packed with inaccuracies handed him by chemical companies and other special interests. (Veto message here.Download ch_301_veto_message.pdf Text of vetoed bill here Download final_bill.pdf.)
It would take an encyclopedia to record and explain them all. There is strong scientific and public health policy support for banning phthalates and deca-PBDE, despite the governor's errant claims. There are also safe alternative toys for infants.
Most disturbingly, he cited "sound science" as the basis for his action. Anyone familiar with the misuse of the term by the incumbent President and his administration will shudder. Sound science in this definition is science paid for by regulated industries.
With a week to go in the legislative session, there is a ray of hope: More than two-thirds of the lawmakers in the House and Senate
voted earlier this month to ban phthalates from children's products
such as rubber duckies, vinyl bibs, and teething rings. A local
environmental coalition urged the ban against the plastics chemical,
citing research about infertility and child development problems.
A letter from Pawlenty on Monday night said he vetoed the ban
because it "overreaches and goes beyond current scientific research"
about the risks. The bill also sought to ban a flame-retardant material
that may be toxic, and Pawlenty offered the same concerns that the
risks were exaggerated.
Lawmakers may have the votes to send a vetoed
plastics ban back to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, but it's unclear whether they
will make an attempt this session.
Yes, the "sound science" moniker has indeed worn itself thin. It is a corporate tool designed for corporate interests. "Sound Science" ignores that developing children are most suseptable to these toxins. A pro-active EPA is needed.
Posted by: Lef-T | May 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Wow, 3 posts in 2 days... think of all the CO2 you've expelled from the local coal power plant powering your computer... hypocrite. Please don’t make me laugh by saying you buy into the scam of paying more for “green energy” from the power company like they route it right to your home…
Posted by: direfloyd | May 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
That was my first post on this blog. And yes, without the status-quo power grid,(that accepts green energy) I would likly never get to met people whose virtues appear dependent on their stock portfolio.
Posted by: Lef-T | May 15, 2008 at 06:48 AM