Greenlist Bulletin
From the Toxics Use Reduction Institute
at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
Feature Issue on Chemicals Policy
June 21, 2013
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This is the weekly bulletin of the TURI Library at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Greenlist Bulletin provide s previews of recent publications and websites relevant to reducing the use of toxic chemicals by industries, businesses, communities, individuals and government. You are welcome to send a message to mary@turi.org if you would like more information on any of the articles listed here, or if this email is not displaying properly.
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State Chemicals Policy: Trends and Profiles
| Source: National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, April 2013
Across the United States, states have provided leadership in the effort to advance sound chemical management policy for years. In the absence of reform of the 30-year-old federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), many states have passed chemicals management legislation or regulations, ranging from targeted bans on high-risk chemicals to comprehensive chemical safety laws. States have played a key role in advancing toxics policy reform through advocating for federal reform as well as by serving as laboratories for innovative policies to reduce chemical hazards in our environment and to prevent exposures to harmful chemicals.
Report includes:
- Recent history of state action on toxics
- A summary table of state chemical policy activities
- Key trends and themes in state chemicals policy
- Five profiles of state activity on toxic chemicals management
Read more...
Read "26 States to Consider Toxic Chemicals Legislation in 2013" from SAFER States.
Read also from GreenBiz.com, "States, firms fill chemicals leadership void left by feds."
For historical information on State chemicals legislation visit NEWMOA's Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2), U.S. State-level Chemicals Policy Database.
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| We Need a Chemical Safety Bill Worthy of Sen. Lautenberg's Legacy | Source: Center for Effective Government, June 4, 2013
On May 23, the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013. The bill would amend the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, the nation's primary and outdated chemical safety law. Despite being promoted as a significant reform, the proposed legislation fails to improve the health and safety protections missing from current law. As it stands, it represents a significant retreat from the Safe Chemicals Act of 2013 that Lautenberg introduced earlier this year. The earlier bill should be the senator's legacy.
Read more...
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One Step Closer To Toxic Free Batteries
| Source: European Environmental Bureau, March 20, 2013
Brussels, 20 March 2013 -- The European Parliament Environment Committee's vote for a phaseout of mercury in button cells batteries by 2014 and cadmium in batteries for cordless power tools (CPTs) by 2015 was today welcomed by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG). Banning mercury in button cell batteries in the EU is an important step towards implementing the provisions of the newly adopted Minamata Convention on Mercury. Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, EEB Zero Mercury Project Manager, said that "Banning these products in the EU would help foster a rapid switch to the manufacture of mercury free products from large global exporters such as China, and reduce the use of mercury in this industry sector." With this vote, the EP Environment Committee followed the advice of two Commission funded studies which found strong environmental and economic grounds for banning mercury from button cell batteries and cadmium from CPT batteries with alternatives being widely available within the EU.
Read more... Information on the proposal for the directive is available at the European Parliament site. |
California Bill Would Address Flame Retardants in Insulation
| Source: Environmental Building News, March 1, 2013
Author: Erin Weaver
A bill introduced in the California Legislature would express the State's intent to reduce chemical flame retardants in building insulation, arguing that they pose a health hazard and are unnecessary in modern construction.
State Assembly Member Nancy Skinner introduced Bill AB 127 in January, saying that California recognizes the toxicity of flame retardants when applied to furniture, but not in the plastic foam insulation sprayed into the walls of homes and businesses. AB 127 notes that 1960s building codes establishing fire safety standards did not specify that those standards be met by the addition of chemicals, but in practice they led to the use of flame retardants such as HBCD and TCPP, which are associated with reproductive and developmental harm and potential carcinogenicity.
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| Triclosan: What Consumers Should Know | Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, April 12, 2013
Triclosan is not currently known to be hazardous to humans. But several scientific studies have come out since the last time FDA reviewed this ingredient that merit further review. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation. However, data showing effects in animals don't always predict effects in humans. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. In light of these studies, FDA is engaged in an ongoing scientific and regulatory review of this ingredient. FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time. Read more... Read article in Chemical & Engineering News, "Minnesota Says No To Triclosan." Read "EPA Sets New Rules For Antimicrobial Pesticides" and additional information on Triclosan from Beyond Pesticides. |
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| Please send a message to mary@turi.org if you would like more information on any of these resources. Also, please tell us what topics you are particularly interested in monitoring, and who else should see Greenlist. An online search of the TURI Library catalog can be done at http://library.turi.org for greater topic coverage.
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Greenlist Bulletin is compiled by:
Mary Butow
Research and Reference Specialist
Toxics Use Reduction Institute
University of Massachusetts Lowell
600 Suffolk St., Wannalancit Mills
Lowell MA 01854
978-934-4365
978-934-3050 (fax)
mary@turi.org
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