Better chemical regulation 'needed in the US'

The US government is failing the public when it comes to the adequate regulation of harmful chemicals.

This is a claim made by the chairman of polymers and fine chemicals supplier Albemarle Mark Rohr, who was speaking at a recent conference call with reporters.

Mr Rohr's comments come following a convergence at which several industry figures called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better control toxic chemicals in a bid to increase consumer confidence towards manufacturers.

At the conference, Cal Dooley, president of the American chemistry council, said that the current chemical regulation law is "in dire need of modernisation" and recommended greater funding and employees for the EPA.

J Peterson Myers, executive director of Environmental Health Services, commented that new breakthroughs and discoveries of late "make it clear that this law lies in the scientific Jurassic."

The EPA recently awarded Philadelphia $2 million (£1.3 million) to help it boost its wastewater technologies and said that a further $9.5 million could become available in the future.