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a referral is made to OSHA it will be more in line with OSHA's 

 regulatory priorities. 



Another difficulty is that described by EPA in its previous testi- 

 mony. The chemical testing program under TSCA has not been as 

 effective as expected. The number of chemicals tested thus far has 

 been far below the number of chemicals for which we need informa- 

 tion. 



OSHA could use data on many more chemicals than have been 

 tested so far. Any improvements that would speed up this process 

 or enhance EPA's ability to gather data would improve OSHA's 

 ability to assess risk and prioritize standards. This will produce 

 better regulations. 



Our act requires us to regulate health hazards to the extent fea- 

 sible. "Feasible" has been interpreted to mean both technical and 

 economical feasibility. Section 4 of TSCA could be used to produce 

 information on feasible methods of controlling workplace health 

 hazards. It would help us speed up our rulemaking on toxic sub- 

 stances as well as providing practical information about current 

 methods used in industry to reduce exposures and reduce hazards. 



A third problem concerns confidential business information. Com- 

 pany claims of confidentiality on issues such as the amount of a 

 chemical used or manufactured at a facility result in EPA provid- 

 ing OSHA with aggregated chemical data from individual firms. If 

 we had more precise data on where these emerging hazards are 

 being used, we could more effectively target not only our standards 

 but our enforcement action. It would keep us out of workplaces 

 where there aren't hazards present. I think both OSHA and indus- 

 try have a mutual interest in getting better information so that we 

 can more appropriately and effectively target both our standards 

 and our inspection resources. 



As I said — and as you see by our presence here today — OSHA, 

 NIOSH, and EPA are trying to work together in a more coordi- 

 nated fashion, to work together sooner. We have established the 

 one committee to coordinate our research and regulatory activity so 

 that we avoid duplication. I am very hopeful, based on our work 

 to date, that we can do a lot more under the present statute. But 

 that will not be enough. 



In addition to doing things like inviting NIOSH and EPA to par- 

 ticipate in our standards prioritization system, we must have bet- 

 ter information. Improvements in the Occupational Safety and 

 Health Act of 1970 and TSCA enable us to become more effective 

 in protecting workers and advancing the interests of employers. 



Better regulation of workplace exposures to chemicals which 

 cause occupational disease will assist us in preventing those dis- 

 eases and in reducing the associated health care costs. Improving 

 TSCA can mean improving risk assessment and risk management 

 policies and procedures. The result will be more protective, bal- 

 anced regulations that not only protect workers but save money for 

 business. 



I am very pleased that you are focusing attention on this issue 

 and I look forward to answering your questions. Thank you. 



Senator Reid. We will now hear from Dr. Linda Rosenstock, Di- 

 rector, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. 



