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Watch Us on YouTubeHearing on the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010
Hearing on H.R. 5820, the “Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010”
Hearings - Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing on H.R. 5820, the “Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010,” on Thursday, July 29, 2010, in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The legislation would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 to ensure that the public and the environment are protected from risks resulting from chemical exposure.
INVITED WITNESSES:
- Steve Owens, Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency
- Richard Denison, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund
- Calvin M. Dooley, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Chemistry Council
- Howard Williams, Vice President, Construction Specialties, Inc.
- Mark Mitchell, M.D., M.P.H., President, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice
- Beth Bosley, Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, Inc.
- Ken Cook, President, Environmental Working Group
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29
WHERE: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
For more information on the hearing visit the Energy and Commerce Committee's website.
Alternatives Analysis Symposium 2
On July 28th, 2010, the Department of Toxic Substance (DTSC) will be hosting a symposium to further explore alternatives analysis for harmful chemicals. The process of identifying and analyzing safer alternatives for chemicals to use in products is a highly complex and scientific approach that crosses multiple disciplines. In order for an alternatives assessment to be productive and efficient, dialogue amongst different stakeholders is crucial to establishing a successful system in California.
The symposium is free and open to the public.
Read more...Department of Toxics Wants Your Feedback
At long last, California's Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC) has released its draft regulations for implementing the first pieces of California's Green Chemistry Initiative and its quest for Safer Alternatives. Now, DTSC wants to hear from you. If you are in Sacramento on July 7 and 8, come raise your voice. If not, you can follow along with the webcast and submit comments via email. Final coments on the proposal are due July 15, 2010.
When:
Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 8:30 am - 12:00 pmThursday, July 8, 2010, 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm Read more...
Workers Memorial Day - April 28
by Jeff RayosOn Wednesday April 28, workers across America observed Workers’ Memorial Day, to remember fellow workers who have died and suffered from poor working conditions. Each year hundreds of thousands of workers are placed in toxic environments that result in illness, injury and death. Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers annually – asbestos claims 100,000 lives alone. One worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide. 6,000 workers die every day. Work kills more people than wars.
To learn more about the success of the 2010 Workers' Memorial Day visit CHANGE member, Worksafe's description of the event.
Read more...You can comment on California's Green Chemistry Initiative
Are you ready for March Madness? No, we're not talking about college basketball. Over the next couple of weeks there are a mad number of opportunities to learn about and provide input to California's Green Chemistry Initiative.
California's Department of Toxics Substances Control, the agency responsible for implementing the bulk of the AB 1879, California's Safer Alternatives legislation, recently released a flowchart representing their vision for regulations to accelerate the quest for safer products.
Read more...Workshop series on California’s Toxics Information Clearinghouse
A workshop series on “California’s Toxics Information Clearinghouse: Scientific Approaches to Implementation” will be held in March and May of 2010. The series is being co-sponsored by the UCLA Law and Environmental Health Sustainable Technology Policy Program, the UC Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), with primary funding from the UC Toxic Substances Research and Teaching Program.
Workshop 1 will be on March 15-16 in Sacramento, at the Cal/EPA building (1001 I Street). Workshop 2 will be on May 10-11 at UC Berkeley and will address indicators of exposure potential, ecotoxicity and other environmental effects.
Read more...Toxic Chemicals in Hollywood
Everyone knows about the Oscars and the Razzies, but not everyone knows about some bad actors that pose real health threats. “Bad Actor Chemicals,” some of the most toxic compounds known, lurk in many common products and pollute the environment, threatening our children and families. On March 3rd, CHANGE hosted the first red carpet awards event, presenting “Toxies” to Bad Actor Chemicals.
- See The Toxies press release (pdf).
- Take action to retire Bad Actor Chemicals.
- Download the full Bad Actor report (pdf, 8mb). Includes policy recommendations, headshots and bios!
- See photos, video, and read more about The Toxies on PSR-LA's website.
See which chemicals win awards such as Lifetime Performance, Best Ensemble Cast, and People's Choice and send a message to California's leaders that it is time for these toxic Bad Actor Chemicals to be retired!
Read more...Listen Live to the US Senate Hearing on Toxic Chemicals on February 4
February 4, the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health is holding a hearing to examine the current science on public exposure to toxic chemicals. The federal law governing toxic chemical production and use, the Toxic Substances Control Act, is due to be updated with new legislation by Subcommittee Chair, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in early 2010.
What will they say? Are the Feds going to represent California's interest in protecting health and the environment from toxic chemicals?
Find out by listening live to the Senate Hearing Feb 4, 10:00 am (EST) (7:00 am PST) thanks to Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, Pacifica Radio Network and Free Speech Radio News.
Then come back to this space and tell us what you thought.
Read more...Upcoming workshops and learning opportunities
See below for information about upcoming workshops and learning opportunities related to green chemistry and environmental health in the San Francisco Bay Area:
Free Webinar: What Does Chemical Contamination Cost Health Care?
New report details how to reduce disease and save billions by overhauling the U.S. chemical management system
January 28, 1:00 pm Eastern
A new report released by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families outlines the role of chemical contaminants in cancer, asthma, reproductive disorders, and other conditions. Learn about the report from a co-author and other leading researchers. Estimates of the proportion of the disease burden that can be attributed to toxic chemical exposures vary, ranging from 1 percent of all disease to 5 percent of childhood cancer, 10 percent of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and neurodevelopmental deficits, and 30 percent of childhood asthma. A conservative estimate puts the health care cost savings attributable to a decline in the incidence of chronic disease due to reductions in chemical exposures at $5 billion per year. The report illustrates the opportunity to prevent disease and reduce health care expenditures by overhauling the chemical management system in the United States.
Speakers:
Charlotte Brody, RN, National Field Director, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families
Richard Clapp, DSc, MPH, Professor of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health
Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network
To register for the webinar, please go to: http://www.practicegreenhealth.org/tools/webinars/calendar/details/547.
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Rally to ban bisphenol A (BPA) to protect kids
Did you know Bisphenol a (BPA) is a chemical used in many plastic bottles and sippy cups that is linked to early puberty, hyperactivity, childhood obesity and breast cancer?
Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles, Breast Cancer Fund, Environmental Working Group, Commonweal and other CHANGE members have been working hard to get a bill passed in the California legislature that would ban the use of the toxic endocrine disruptor BPA from being used in baby bottles and infant formula cans. SB 797 has made it this far, but now it needs to get passed by the State Assembly, which will be its biggest hurdle yet.
Read more...