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State Responses to BFRs Towards an Integrated Chemicals Policy

State Responses to BFRs Towards an Integrated Chemicals Policy. Ken Geiser University of Massachusetts Lowell. California. 2003 California Legislature enacts AB 302 “….believing it is necessary for the state to develop a precautionary approach…”

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State Responses to BFRs Towards an Integrated Chemicals Policy

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  1. State Responses to BFRsTowards an Integrated Chemicals Policy Ken Geiser University of Massachusetts Lowell

  2. California • 2003 California Legislature enacts AB 302 • “….believing it is necessary for the state to develop a precautionary approach…” • prohibits the manufacture or sales of products containing <0.1% penta- or octa-brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) by 2008 • new bill (AB 2587) would amend law to add deca-BDE

  3. Maine 2003 Maine Legislature passes LD 1790 “An Act to Reduce Contamination of the Environment from Brominated Chemicals in Consumer Products” • phases out the use of penta- and octa-BDE by January 2008 • charges State DEP to study the possibility of phasing out deca-BDE by January 2008 if there are safer alternatives available • Maine DEP releases draft report in 2005 concluding that “…safe and applicable alternatives for deca-BDE are available for all current uses.”

  4. Washington 2002 Washington establishes a “PBT Elimination Strategy” which includes PBDEs 2004 Governor puts priority on PBDEs 2004 Washington Department of Ecology releases “Draft Action Plan on PBDEs” • covers penta-, octa- and deca-BDEs • proposes phase out of deca-BDE in electronics

  5. Other States Initiatives 2004 New York legislature calls for a study of PBDEs • New York DEC establishes a “Task Force on Flame Retardant Safety” with a charge to report back in 2005 2004 Hawaii legislature passes law requiring phase out of penta- and octa-BDEs by 2006 2004 Michigan legislature passes law requiring phase out of penta- and octa-BDEs by 2007

  6. Other State Efforts • Phase out legislation, pending or defeated in: • Maryland (defeated) • Minnesota (defeated) • New York (pending)

  7. State Options on BFRs • Establish a study of hazards and risks • Establish a study of alternatives and options • Regulate substance under current public health authority • Regulate substance by Executive Order • Enact law regulating substance

  8. Beyond BFRs • BFRs are the current chemical of high attention • Mercury, lead, arsenic and several pesticides are of equal public concern • On the horizon of concern are perfluorinated esters, perchlorates, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics • Further out are new industrial solvents: bromopropane, n-methyl-perrolidone, 1,2 trans-dicholoroethylene, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane

  9. The Chemicals Problem for the States • States are expected to assure public health and environmental protection • Information on chemical uses, life cycles, health effects and environmental impacts is typically limited to no-existent • State and federal budgets are severely constrained • States need to consider more integrated approaches to chemicals policy

  10. State Capacities for Chemical Policy • environmental protection departments • public health departments • occupational health departments • pesticide boards • emergency response agencies • local public health boards

  11. Options forState Integrated Chemicals Policy • Create cross agency dialogues • Establish periodic cross agency seminars • Establish cross agency agreements on testing and data sharing • Establish cross agency priorities with delegated tasks (testing, labeling, regulating releases, etc.)

  12. Options forState Integrated Chemicals Policy • Canvass HPV and VCCEP data for potential state response • Create state chemical tracking systems • Establish coordinated chemicals management board

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