Congress has reached agreement on the most sweeping overhaul of U.S. chemical safety laws in 40 years. “It could be one of the most historic moments in environmental law in our country,” said Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass). The compromise will provide the industry with greater certainty while empowering the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain more information about a chemical before approving its use.  After passage, the EPA must start reviewing at least 10 toxic chemicals that permeate communities across the country, a list that is likely to include asbestos, formaldehyde and flame retardants. Many are interwoven into people’s experience with everyday products, including the ink on their morning newspaper and the fabric protector on their family’s sofa. The deal, which both sides have pursued since President Obama first term in office, gives the Environmental Protection Agency the power to require companies to provide health and safety data for untested chemicals and to prevent substances from reaching the market if they have not been determined to be safe. The measure could come up for a vote in both chambers as soon as next week. Read more here.