Recorded presentation

Michael P. Wilson, PhD, MPH, Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, 140 Warren Hall #7360, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, (510) 643-8119, mpwilson@berkeley.edu

Although California has successfully implemented a number of innovative chemicals policy initiatives pertaining to the "right to know" and the registration of pesticides, the State has yet to develop a comprehensive program to regulate or otherwise manage the production, importation and sale of chemicals and chemical products, including pesticides. As a consequence, the State is unable to identify the types, volumes and locations of use of industrial chemicals used in commerce and is unable to prioritize its resources with respect to chemicals management. California also has no comprehensive program (beyond federal TSCA) requiring manufacturers of chemicals or chemical products to evaluate their products for their potential to cause harm to the environment, workers or the public. This general lack of oversight is disturbing in light of evidence suggesting that at least 1,400 chemicals used in commerce are known or suspected to be carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, persist in the environment or accumulate in human tissues. The REACH initiative in the European Union (EU) represents an unusual opportunity for California to improve its management of chemicals. A California initiative harmonized with the EU REACH would expand the ability of the State to manage chemicals in commerce while also encouraging innovation on the part of chemical manufacturers and preserving access to the European market. In light of this opportunity, the California legislature requested in January 2004 that the University of California investigate chemicals policy options for California and recommend a model for adoption. This presentation presents our analysis and our proposed choice of models.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the central elements of a comprehensive chemicals policy initiative in California and how this initiative differs from that of the European Union.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation