P2 News Items

EPA Has Increased Efforts to Assess and Control Chemicals but Could Strengthen Its Approach (05/13/2013)
Since 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made progress implementing its new approach to managing toxic chemicals under its existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authority; particularly by increasing efforts to obtain chemical toxicity and exposure data and initiating chemical risk assessments -- which EPA uses, along with other information, to decide what regulatory or other actions, if any, are warranted. The results of EPA's data collection activities, in most cases, have yet to be realized, and it may take several years before EPA obtains much of the data it is seeking. Also, EPA has not pursued some opportunities to obtain chemical data that companies submit to foreign governments or to obtain data from chemical processors that prepare chemical substances after their manufacture for distribution in commerce -- some of which could help support the agency's risk assessment activities. Of the 83 chemicals EPA has prioritized for risk assessment, it initiated 7 assessments in 2012 and plans to start 18 additional assessments in 2013 and 2014. However, it may take several years to complete these initial risk assessments and, at the agency's current pace, over a decade to complete all 83, especially as EPA does not have the toxicity and exposure data needed for 58 of the 83 chemicals prioritized for risk assessment. In addition to its risk assessment activity, EPA has initiated other actions -- such as increasing review of certain new uses of chemicals -- that may discourage the use of these chemicals, but it is too early to tell whether these actions will reduce chemical risks.

Chemistry Council Makes Safety Code Compliance Mandatory for Membership (05/07/2013)
The American Chemistry Council will unveil May 6 a new Product Safety Code outlining best practices that member companies must follow to help ensure the safe development and use of chemicals. ACC members will have to comply with the code and "adherence with those practices will be mandatory and regularly verified by independent auditors," according to ACC's announcement. Under the Product Safety Code, each ACC member company will pledge to implement 11 practices to ensure the safety of the chemicals they make. These practices include undertaking toxicity and other studies of products, sharing information along the supply chain, and taking corrective measures--including terminating business relationships if necessary--should improper chemical use be discovered

Safe and Sustainable Chemicals: The Case for Action (05/07/2013)
In 1975, California implemented a law requiring that foam used in furniture be treated with chemicals to prevent the product from catching fire if placed in an open flame for 12 seconds. Across the United States, furniture manufacturers responded by adding flame retardants to their products. More recently, however, the effectiveness of these fire retardants in reducing household fires has come under question, and scientific studies now indicate links between certain flame retardants and decreased fertility, lower infant birth weight, and deficits in physical and mental development in young children.

Why every company has a chemical footprint (05/07/2013)
What is your company's chemical footprint? You may think this question does not apply to your organization because it doesn't use chemicals. Yet all products are made from chemicals. Chemicals are the building blocks of matter, which is what we make products from. Thus all companies use chemicals by virtue of the products they purchase, use and sell. Buildings are also part of the "products" that organizations buy, from the shell to the interior components, such as flooring, wall coverings and chairs.

New York City Mandates Dry Cleaners to Disclose Chemicals Used (04/26/2013)
NEW YORK -- Beginning next February, New York City dry cleaners will be required to disclose to consumers the primary chemicals used in their dry cleaning process, says the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. About 1,400 dry cleaning businesses throughout the Big Apple will be required to list the chemicals and a link to information about their health effects, so that consumers can access their potential impact. DEP will work with affected businesses over the next year to implement the new rule ahead of the enforcement date.

State Chemicals Policy: Trends and Profiles (04/26/2013)
WASHINGTON D.C. -- A new report issued on by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) reveals significant state actions to address toxic chemical pollution. According to the research, over 77 individual chemical restriction bills have been passed by states in recent years, including 31 bills related specifically to mercury. The new report, "State Chemicals Policy: Trends and Profiles" reveals that almost all 50 states have either proposed or enacted legislation aimed to regulate chemicals. In 2013 alone, more than 26 states had bills introduced that are under consideration by state legislatures. "Toxic chemical pollution is a growing and costly problem for our state," said Ted Sturdevant, legislative and policy director for Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. "The costs of cleaning up from chemical pollution puts a drag on our economy and threatens public health. As the report shows, states are listening to citizens and taking actions on toxic threats."

States lead on toxic chemical laws (04/24/2013)
WASHINGTON D.C. -- A new report issued on by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR), and funded by the Seattle-based Bullitt Foundation, reveals significant state actions to address toxic chemical pollution. According to the research, over 77 individual chemical restriction bills have been passed by states in recent years, including 31 bills related specifically to mercury. The new report, "State Chemicals Policy: Trends and Profiles" reveals that almost all 50 states have either proposed or enacted legislation aimed to regulate chemicals. In 2013 alone, more than 26 states had bills introduced that are under consideration by state legislatures. "Toxic chemical pollution is a growing and costly problem for our state," said Ted Sturdevant, legislative and policy director for Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. "The costs of cleaning up from chemical pollution puts a drag on our economy and threatens public health. As the report shows, states are listening to citizens and taking actions on toxic threats."