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ALERT UPDATE: EPA PROPOSED RULE ALLOWS CHEMICAL AND PESTICIDE TESTING ON KIDS

Thanks to everyone who responded to the OCA Alert in the last issue of Organic Bytes. So far, the EPA has been deluged with over 20,000 comments from OCA supporters demanding changes in the EPA's controversial proposed rule on human chemical testing, which contains loopholes that would allow the testing of chemicals and pesticides on children. EPA's proposal flies in the face of massive public opposition and directives from Congress and the National Academy of Sciences to stop industry from carrying out unethical studies on children. In the wake of this strong citizen backlash, the EPA is frantically trying to discredit the OCA and other organizations working on this issue (such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Health and Environmental Justice, and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, etc.) by flat out denying that the proposed rule contains exceptions for testing toxics on children. Unfortunately for the EPA PR greenwashing efforts, the actual proposed rule is still posted on the EPA website, where the public can look beyond the agency's rhetoric and read the rule themselves. We invite you to read these sections of the proposed regulations, which allow chemical or pesticide testing on children under the following circumstances:

1. Children who "cannot be reasonably consulted," such as those that are mentally handicapped or orphaned newborns may be tested on. With permission from the institution or guardian in charge of the individual, the child may be exposed to chemicals for the sake of research.
2. Parental consent forms are not necessary for testing on children who have been neglected or abused.
3. Chemical studies on any children outside of the U.S. are acceptable.