(NaturalNews) Congress's failure to update the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 has prompted numerous states to enact their own restrictions pertaining to the chemical industry. The move has forced the American Chemistry Council (ACC), a top trade organization representing North American chemical manufactures, to fight chemical regulation legislation at the state level.

The ACC argues that chemical regulation is best dealt with at the federal level through TSCA rather than a "patchwork of state regulations," but public awareness regarding the dangers of chemical exposure has forced state legislatures to take action.

In response, the ACC has redirected their focus to state-level activity by increasing its financial contributions to state and local candidates, according to a new report [PDF] from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

American Chemical Council dumping millions into fighting state-level chemical regulations

Their political spending more than tripled ahead of the midterm elections, as the group prepared to battle preemption, or laws passed by states that conflict with federal legislation. ACC describes preemption as their greatest challenge, arguing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be the only one responsible for deciding which chemicals are safe to use.

Careful analysis by CREW reveals that ACC's lobbying increased from $3.94 million in 2008 to $12.25 million in 2013, funding thousands of political ads backing members of Congress from both parties in an attempt to push for a "friendly overhaul of chemical safety laws."

Approximately $1.8 million was spent by the ACC in 2014, funding more than 6,000 ads for that year's election cycle, reports The Hill.

"The American Chemistry Council's pumped-up political advertising spending, campaign contributions, and lobbying dollars make it impossible for new chemical regulations to pass without its approval," said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan.