This follows an investigative series in the Chicago Tribune on the issue.
Durbin says the burden should be put on industry to prove chemicals are safe in order to stay on the market. He says the 35-year-old federal law on this issue is ineffective.
"Right now the environmental protection agency looks at a chemical once there's a warning, once there's a problem, a suspicious that it might be harmful. That may be too late," Senator Durbin said.
Trade group American Chemical Council says it supports revamping the chemical safety law but opposes the specific bill that Durbin supports -- and points out that no Republican lawmakers have signed on as co- sponsors.
