Poll shows most Michigan voters support stricter toxic chemical rules

By Amy Biolchini County, health and environment reporter

Posted on Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.

A majority of Michigan voters across party lines polled in a recent survey said they support stricter regulations on toxic chemicals used in everyday products, according to a new poll released Thursday.

About 74 percent of voters polled expressed support for provisions of the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 which would require manufacturers to show that chemicals used to make their products are safe before selling them.

In May, hundreds of people marched on the U.S. Capitol in a “Stroller Brigade” to show their support of the Safe Chemicals Act, including a contingent from Ann Arbor.

The results of the survey that asked 615 Michigan voters if they support stricter regulations on toxic chemicals in consumer products.

Courtesy of the Ecology Center

The measure would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act and would give the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authority to limit uses of a chemicals known to be a threat to human health or the environment.

The survey, conduced by the Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health, polled 615 voters across the state. The Ecology Center in Ann Arbor is a member of the network.

By political affiliation, here’s the breakdown of those that responded affirmatively that more regulation is needed for toxic chemicals in consumer products:

58 percent of Republicans
64 percent of independents
77 percent of Democrats

“We are calling upon Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin to listen to the will of their constituents and support the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011,” said Rebecca Meuninck, campaign director of the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health, in a statement.

The Safe Chemicals Act is awaiting a vote in the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

The committee will next hold a hearing on the matter July 24.