Newswise — Reston, Va.; June 22, 2016 — Society of Toxicology (SOT) 2016‒2017 President John B. Morris, PhD, releases the following statement regarding the signing of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act:
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) would like to congratulate the US House of Representatives, US Senate, and President Obama for the passage and adoption of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.With more than 5,500 US-based toxicologists in its membership, SOT represents the women and men who are on the frontlines of evaluating chemical safety. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that the new bill would enable toxicologists to continue their role in protecting animal, human, and environmental health.As previously communicated to the House and Senate leadership teams, SOT believes the bill contains strong, objective, scientific underpinnings and will protect public health for years to come. We are heartened to see the inclusion of sound toxicological principles and risk concepts, including an emphasis on exposure as well as hazard, in the bill.For six years, an SOT Task Force has been engaged in many meetings and discussions with lawmakers in the Senate and House, serving as a scientific resource for staff members working on the legislation. During this time, SOT did not align itself with any particular bill, but instead worked to:1. Ensure the revised legislation affords flexibility in selection of the best available science for generating and evaluating information used in the safety and risk assessment process.2. Ensure protection of the authority of the US Environmental Protection Agency, working with the scientific community, to judge when and how to apply new techniques and methods.3. Ensure the terms and concepts used in the legislative language that apply to the science of toxicology are consistent, accurate, and unambiguous.We believe that the new bill reflects these ideals.Thank you again to the congressional leadership and President Obama. SOT and its members applaud the passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which will ensure greater protection and well-being to the public now and in the future.
# # #
About SOTFounded in 1961, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization of more than 8,000 scientists from academic institutions, government, and industry representing the great variety of individuals who practice toxicology in the US and abroad. SOT is committed to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science and increasing the impact of toxicology. The Society promotes the acquisition and utilization of knowledge in toxicology, aids in the protection of public health, and has a strong commitment to education in toxicology and to the recruitment of students and new members into the profession. For more information about SOT and toxicology, visit the Society online at www.toxicology.org, follow us on Twitter @SOToxicology, and like us on Facebook.
RSS