TEJAS: Toxic Chemicals From ExxonMobil Attack Children's Health

HOUSTON, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, public health groups blasted ExxonMobil Chemical Company for blocking new restrictions on toxic chemicals that damage children's health and pollute local communities. 

Outside its corporate headquarters, protesters unveiled a giant twenty-foot rubber ducky, a favorite bath toy often made with PVC plastic, containing toxic chemicals known as phthalates (pronounced 'THA-lates'), produced by ExxonMobil at its Baton Rouge, LA factory.

"Exxon's petrochemical plants were built around historic communities of color, and now Texas and Louisiana families are suffering from illnesses, such as asthma and cancer, linked to the toxic chemicals they release," explains Juan Parras of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services.

"ExxonMobil should stop its toxic toying around with our children's health," said Mike Schade from the Center for Health, Environment, & Justice (CHEJ).  "Rather than lobbying government officials to protect their record corporate profits at the expense of children's health, ExxonMobil should invest in safer products." 

"Shame on Exxon for hiding behind our broken federal chemical safety law," said Kathy Curtis, LPN,  a nurse with Clean and Healthy New York.  "Are they afraid of the science that links phthalates to birth defects of the penis, testicular cancer, decreased sperm count and infertility?"

Public health advocates cited aggressive lobbying by ExxonMobil Chemical Company:

• ExxonMobil has lobbied the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to undermine the 2008 Congressional ban on phthalates in toys and children's products;
• ExxonMobil's lobbying of the White House has delayed for more than 500 days a rule drafted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to name phthalates as Chemicals of Concern;
• ExxonMobil opposes Congressional approval of the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, which would overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the nation's broken chemical safety law that was last updated 35 years ago.

The environmental health advocates demanded that ExxonMobil and other petrochemical corporations stop their efforts to block TSCA reform and support EPA's efforts to enforce and update regulations meant to prevent illnesses and premature death.   A hearing on the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey), is scheduled for November 17, 2011 before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

For more information and experts with direct contact info:  www.louisvillecharter.org.

SOURCE Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS)