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AB 1940
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The Honorable (First and Last Name)
State Capitol, Room # _______
Sacramento, CA 95814
(Today’s Date), 2004
Dear Assemblymember __________,
As a resident of California and your constituent, I urge you to support Assembly Bill 1940, authored by Assembly Member Wilma Chan, which would help state regulatory agencies detect thousands of toxic chemicals in the air, water, soil, and human body. AB 1940 requires that chemical manufacturers provide analytical methods to the state for detection and tracking of the specific chemicals they make.
Commercial chemicals are a daily part of our lives, yet countless go undetected. With unknown levels of toxicity, many of these chemicals leach out into our environment, are absorbed by our bodies and are potentially extremely dangerous. Currently, state scientists are capable of tracking only 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 is a landmark measure that will reform and improve California’s ability to detect chemicals in the environment. 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.
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, from cancer to respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Please support AB 1940 in committee and on the floor.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
