Congress reaches deal to overhaul chemical regulation

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan agreement reached by House and Senate negotiators would set safety standards for tens of thousands of chemicals that have gone unregulated for decades.

Richard Denison, a senior scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund, called the bill a "significant victory for public health," noting that it will require safety reviews for chemicals already in use and mandate greater scrutiny of new chemicals before they can be sold.

Chemicals used in everyday products such as household cleaners, clothing and furniture have been linked to serious illnesses, including cancer, infertility, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.