WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency touted its efforts under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act on the second anniversary of enacting the law named for the late New Jersey U.S. senator.
But one of those who helped write the legislation, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., said the agency instead was "betraying the bipartisan effort" that led to the law's passage.
The EPA announced Friday that it had met the deadlines established under the law's requirements and addressed the issues of releasing confidential business information, reducing animal testing, and accounting for mercury supplies.
"At this two-year milestone, I am proud to say that the agency is delivering results and meeting the statutory responsibilities and deadlines of the new law," EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said. "These actions will increase transparency and increase public confidence in chemical safety."
Pallone, D-6th Dist., who has called for Pruitt's resignation, said the agency was doing the opposite.
"The EPA's recent refusal to address longstanding concerns around the use and disposal of asbestos is proof that Administrator Pruitt will bend over backwards to help industry, but won't lift a finger to protect public health," said Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
"This is what happens when you hand over control of the program to chemical industry lobbyists who are ignoring clear statutory mandates and evidence of chemical risk."
Pruitt said the EPA met the law's Thursday deadline to address certain issues.
The agency developed a strategy to reduce animal testing, adopted a final rule governing the disclosure of mercury and mercury-containing products, provided guidance for first responders and local governments on sharing confidential business information concerning chemicals, and took steps to release more descriptions about specific chemicals to the public, the EPA said.
In addition, the EPA announced the first 10 chemicals to be evaluated under the law.
The effort to update a 40-year-old federal law requiring chemicals be tested for safety, was one of Lautenberg's top priorities in the Senate until he died.
The Lautenberg legislation requires EPA to test chemicals using "sound and credible science" and impose regulations if they are shown to pose a health risk.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.