A new study by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, found that converting non-recycled plastics into diesel fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 14 percent, water consumption by up to 58 percent, and traditional energy use by up to 96 percent compared to diesel production from traditional […]
Virtually every day in the U.S., we are flooded with more and more reports about growing problems with the nation’s crumbling water infrastructure. While the problem was first brought to the public’s awareness in Flint, water systems are failing in countless other cities, from Cleveland, to New Jersey, to Massachusetts. Now, we are seeing more […]
The days of rivers catching on fire from high levels of pollution are long gone. These days Americans almost take it for granted that the rivers, streams and lakes around us are safe and clean. Nevertheless, there are still concerns about the potential for health risks to people and the environment from trace levels of […]
The American Institute of Architects’ Conference on Architecture brings together thousands of architects and building and design industry professionals this week in Orlando, with the opportunity to see the latest innovative building products and meet with companies that support the industry. American Chemistry Council members are showcasing products that enable the latest efficient, durable and […]
The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA) is described as having three “framework rules” – Inventory Reset, Prioritization, and Risk Evaluation. All three are designed to work together to set the stage for, and then deliver, efficient and streamlined risk evaluations of chemicals under the federal program. EPA has described this ongoing process of prioritization and […]
On March 29 Senators Sullivan (R-AK), Whitehouse (D-RI) and Booker (D-NJ) introduced the bipartisan Saving Our Seas Act, which also included Senators Coons (D-DE), Inhofe (R-OK), Murkowski (R-AK), Peters (D-MI) and Tillis (R-NC) as cosponsors. In addition to reauthorizing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris research program, the bill underscores the need for […]
Thanks to years of attention to bisphenol A (BPA), used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, there is now quite a bit of attention to various alternatives described generically as “BPA-Free“. Many manufacturers proudly apply a BPA-Free label to their products, even to products that never contained BPA in the first place. The […]
As efforts continue in earnest to implement the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (LCSA), ACC sees two areas in particular where industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can work together closely to put the program on a solid footing – prioritizing chemicals for review and conducting efficient risk evaluations. […]
Scientists from the public and private sector as well as academia could all have something to rally behind under the current Administration and Congress: a stronger appreciation for using good science to help drive regulatory decision-making. Congress has already begun to take action. This morning, Dr. Nancy Beck, Ph.D., provided testimony to a Senate Subcommittee about […]
(l-r) Tim Phelan, President of CT Retail Merchants Assn.; CT State Sen. Ted Kennedy; CT State Rep. Mike Demicco; Margaret Gorman, Manager, ACC State Affairs Northeast Office On Tuesday, the Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP), in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment Protection (DEEP) kicked off a statewide awareness campaign to increase […]
Like most people, you probably like seafood. Not only does it taste good but seafood provides healthy amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The latter is particularly important since consumption of these fatty acids is linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s why international health agencies recommend 1-2 servings of […]
Representatives from the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) joined leaders from government and non-governmental organizations in Brasilia from 7 – 9 February to review progress toward meeting the objectives of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and to consider the future of SAICM. Learn more about the first meeting of the SAICM […]
We all knew that modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) through passage and implementation of the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA) would create a new era of chemical regulation in the United States. What we may not have known was that the statutory change would coincide with major changes in our political landscape. The […]
If you’ve ever read a news article or blog post about chemicals, you may have come across the oft-cited claim that there are 84,000 untested chemicals in the products we use every day. Taken at face value, this figure is startling. But, if you check the facts and take a closer look, you’ll also find […]
Plastics Make it Possible® visited the recent Los Angeles Auto Show to check out the latest innovations in the automotive world. From concept cars to models likely to show up in your driveway there was one common denominator: Plastics. It makes sense: lightweight and sturdy plastics help make cars lighter and more fuel efficient, and […]
Since 1974, Presidents have issued Executive Orders requiring regulatory agencies to analyze the anticipated results and economic effects of proposed regulations. Executive Order 13563, Executive Order 12866, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-4 require agencies to conduct a careful and transparent analysis of the anticipated impacts of economically significant regulatory actions. […]
More than 10 years ago, bisphenol A (BPA) was a hot topic in Japan. But these days, not so much. The Japanese government ministries with responsibility for human health continue to monitor scientific developments on BPA in the rest of the world, but without any apparent pressure or need for regulatory action. Likewise, there’s little […]
It’s no secret the holidays can be hectic. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering, or transporting Grandma’s (in)famous fruitcake across cold and busy roads, the time is ripe for potential mishaps. But here’s a not-so-well-known secret: plastics can help make the holidays a little safer and more manageable. For example, plastics help us keep foods […]
“Let’s Stop the Manipulation of Science,” reads the title to an op-ed recently published in the popular French newspaper, Le Monde. It sounds like an honest cause, but are the authors being disingenuous with their call to action? The scientists who co-signed the piece make a bold accusation – that “scientific evidence has been willfully distorted […]
On December 14, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a public stakeholder discussion on the implementation of section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The section was revised by the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Congress in mid-2016. At issue in the stakeholder meeting will […]