Lax laws promote hazardous chems - scientists
08 May 2008 23:40 [Source: ICIS news]
NEW YORK (ICIS news)--US policy has done little to discourage companies from using hazardous chemicals, researchers said on Thursday during a web conference.
“Current chemicals policy has not been sufficiently protective of human health or the environment, nor has it promoted innovation in the chemicals market,” said Megan Schwarzman, research scientist at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) at the University of California Berkeley’s School of Public Health.
“What we need is a fundamental re-evaluation of the way we manage the entire chemical system,” she said.
Schwarzman and another COEH scientist, Michael Wilson, wrote a study called Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California, which recommended the need for chemical policy changes in California. The study was commissioned by the California Environmental Protection Agency.
“With some 42bn lb [19m tonnes]/day of industrial chemicals entering commerce in the US, new strategies are needed to reduce hazardous workplace exposures,” Wilson said. “California is positioned to become a national leader in new policies that promote the science, technology and commercial applications of green chemistry.”
Such chemistry involves the design and use of chemicals, processes and products that are safer for human health and the environment, the researchers said.
US producers, according to Wilson, have not invested in green chemistry at a level commensurate with the pace of chemical production.
In California alone, total sales of chemical products are estimated at 644m lb/day, he said.
“Industry leaders are more likely to improve their investments in green chemistry if the market and regulatory system favours these investments, and if there are other incentives to reduce costs or risks,” he added.
The California Environmental Protection Agency, through its Green Chemistry Initiative, is currently gathering information and recommendations from various industries across the board to develop the state's green chemistry policies.
To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect
ICIS Copyright © Reed Business Information 2009
Author: Doris de Guzman+1 713 525 2653
< previous article(ICIS Podcast: Chemical News Central 2 November 2009)
For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial
to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.
Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free
trial to ICIS Chemical Business.