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[STK]
[IN] CHM HOU
[SU] SVY AVO
TO NATIONAL, AND SCIENCE EDITORS:
Texas Consumer Group Evaluates Causes of Product Safety Confusion
AUSTIN, Texas, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas
Consumer Association (TCA) today released a new report warning that
substitutes for widely-used chemicals in consumer products may be
unproven and leave consumers at risk. The paper, titled "Assessing
Consumer Product Safety: How Science Can Be Sidelined in Product
Formulations," notes that various interest group campaigns have led to
the voluntary replacement of well-tested chemicals in consumer
products, sometimes without disclosure of what kind of compounds are
used as a replacement.
The TCA report urges federal regulatory agencies like the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - who are responsible for
chemical reviews and overseeing products on store shelves across Texas
and the nation - to ensure that regulations on consumer product
formulations are based in rigorous scientific and product testing
rather than well-intentioned but misdirected interest groups
petitioning against chemical use broadly.
"Consumers today are more attentive than ever, but it can still be
difficult to separate fact from fiction," Sandra Haverlah, President
of the Texas Consumer Association said. "When small but vocal groups
are able to effectively take the wheel and trump scientific analysis,
it introduces the potential for real harm for consumers. Consumers
aren't protected by 'what-ifs' - we need a balanced, methodical
process that ensures the safety of products hitting the shelves."
In three case studies highlighting campaigns against BPA, phthalates,
and parabens, the TCA report details the growing rift between what
peer-reviewed science determines is safe and the messages from
campaigns targeting certain substances. Consumer perceptions and
buying habits are known to be significantly shaped by headlines,
regardless of their legitimacy.
"Consumers are stuck in the middle of these safety disputes," says
Haverlah. "Despite scientific evidence and federal approval for use in
products, manufacturers continue to weigh the value of voluntarily
swapping tested chemicals for alternative compounds, not based on
health concerns, but instead on false public perception."
The paper is the latest contribution by TCA to better inform consumers
in Texas and nationwide about consumer product safety and expose the
confusion that often exists surrounding consumer product safety.
Haverlah, who has served as TCA's president of the last decade, warns
that mounting public pressures threaten to disrupt a strong regulatory
process at the state and federal level.
To view the report, please click here.
Texas Consumer Association Texas Consumer Association was founded to
represent individuals and small businesses on pocketbook issues. For
over 40 years, TCA has provided information and testimony on
legislation that influences the family budget, participated on behalf
of consumers on regulatory issues and offered information to the
public regarding current issues that affect personal finances or
quality of life. Sandra Haverlah has been working on consumer issues
with the TCA since 1988 and has served as President of TCA for the
last decade. http://www.txconsumer.org
SOURCE Texas Consumer Association
-0- 04/17/2014
/CONTACT: Sandra Haverlah, sandiehaverlah@outlook.com, 512-423-0913
/Web Site: http://www.txconsumer.org/
CO: Texas Consumer Association
ST: Texas
IN: CHM HOU
SU: SVY AVO
PRN
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0000 04/17/2014 17:32:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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