California Passes Green Chemistry Bills
One of the scariest things about the world we live in, at least to me, is the amount of chemicals that we put into our bodies every day. And though most people assume that all of these chemicals are safe that may not be the case. The EPA screens new chemicals for safety, but issues that arise from long-term exposure to a multitude of chemicals won’t show up for years. Remember DDT?
Fortunately, the state of California has launched a Green Chemistry Initiative designed to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in products and the environment. Until now, chemicals of concern were dealt with individually – a time consuming and often litigious process.
With the passage of AB 1879, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) now has the power to address this issue by creating a process to identify and prioritize “chemicals of concern” for review. Chemicals may be banned as a result. DTSC is also tasked with developing methods for finding less hazardous alternatives.
Another bill, SB 509, will create something more accessible to consumers: a Web-based database to increase the public’s knowledge about the toxicity and hazards of chemicals currently used in California today.
The passage of these bills give the Green Chemistry Initiative real teeth. Thus far, the Initiative has brought together stakeholders to discuss ways to advance green chemistry, like better informing consumers about chemicals, altering consumer protection laws, and adding green chemistry to education. All good things, but to see real change, we need the power of legislation to back it up.
Photo credit: skycaptain2 on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
