Endocrine Insider
May 26, 2010

(See Full Issue)

To support its efforts to improve regulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), the Society recently endorsed legislation introduced by Congressmen Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) that aims to strengthen the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The “Endocrine Disruptor Screening Enhancement Act of 2010” (HR 5210) is intended to revise the Safe Drinking Water Act to require EPA to investigate chemicals regulated under this law for EDC activity.  It further requires EPA to review its testing protocols every three years and, with public input, update them as necessary to remain current.  HR 5210 also requires EPA to share its findings and actions with other relevant federal agencies.  All of this activity is to be handled through the existing EDSP, with the hope that the program will improve with the new requirements.  The Society was invited to provide comments on the draft language and ultimately decided to endorse the legislation as it is a positive step towards improving the EDSP. 

Endorsement of this legislation supports the Society’s ongoing efforts to encourage appropriate regulation of EDCs, which were spurred by the June 2009 release of the Society’s Scientific Statement and position statement on the topic.  The Society has discussed the findings of these statements with staff of the committees that have jurisdiction over this issue, including the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and with the staff of Representatives Moran, Markey, Louise Slaughter (D-NY), and Bobby Rush (D-IL).