ABSTRACT
The major U.S. federal policies on the control of hazardous chemical substances in community environments are described. The chapter is divided into two broad categories: pesticides and “toxic substances.” Impacts of hazardous substances on human and ecosystem health are presented for each category. Discussed are the principal U.S. statutes concerning toxic substances: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Food Quality Protection Act; and Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. Additionally, selected U.S. state and international agencies’ policies on the control of toxic substances are described. Particular attention is given to the effects of toxic substances on children’s health, with a focus on exposure to environmental sources of lead such as school water fountains.
