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Commercial Chemicals:
Finding a needle in a haystack
Commercial chemicals are a daily part of our lives, yet countless go undetected. In fact, over 85,000 chemicals are in commercial use. With unknown levels of toxicity, many of these chemicals leach out into our environment, are absorbed by our bodies and are potentially extremely dangerous. Assembly Bill 1940, by Assembly Member Wilma Chan (D-Alameda), will help state regulatory agencies detect thousands of these chemicals in the air, water, soil, and human body.
In California alone, over 52 million pounds of chemicals are discharged into the environment annually. Currently, state scientists are capable of tracking about 25% of the chemicals that end up in our air and drinking water, as well as in the food that we eat. Compounding the problem, chemical manufacturers can legally put products on the market before developing detection methods. AB 1940 mandates that chemical manufacturers must provide analytical methods to the state for detection and tracking of the specific chemicals they make.
Under current law, the state is responsible for developing and verifying analytical methods for chemicals within the Department of Health Services, Department of Toxics Substances Control, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Air Resources Board. The cost to the state for developing analytical methods for a single chemical can be up to one million dollars in taxpayer money per year. This responsibility and cost should fall to the companies introducing new chemicals into California’s environment. In most cases, chemical manufacturers already have this information—often as part of the research and development of their product. Since chemical companies are most familiar with the chemicals they manufacture, if they have not yet developed tracking techniques, they bear the most logical and direct responsibility to do so as a condition of selling their product. By shifting the burden of developing detection methods from the state to manufacturers, AB 1940 will save millions in taxpayer dollars and eliminate a time-intensive process from state responsibility.
Chronic illnesses, from cancer epidemics to respiratory illnesses like asthma, pose a serious and growing problem in California. Evidence is mounting that millions of Californians are feeling the health impacts of living in an environment filled with chemicals and their largely unknown effects. Having the tools to track and detect chemicals in the air, soil, water, and human body could lead to the prevention and reduction of life-threatening illnesses.
What You Can Do
AB 1940 is a landmark measure that will reform and improve California’s ability to detect chemicals in the environment. The bill is currently on the Assembly floor and needs to pass off the floor Friday, May 28th. Please contact your Assembly Member and encourage the support of AB 1940.
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Your State Assembly Member
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
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