California hopes to spur development of less-toxic chemicals

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California hopes to spur development of less-toxic chemicals

 

California officials yesterday unveiled their proposals to kick-start a " green

chem " revolution, aiming to spur development of less-toxic chemicals as safer

alternatives to widely used toxics. The list of more than 800 proposals does not

include any additional bans or restrictions on the use of toxic chemicals.

Instead, ideas range from grants for R & D to beefing up consumer-protection laws

to changing the enforcement system and training more green chemists. California

eco-groups were generally hopeful, but said the state still needs to do more to

decrease citizens' toxic-chemical exposure. " We applaud the process, but there's

not enough detail in there to applaud the policy, " said Dan Jacobson of

Environment California. " These proposals aren't going to reduce people's

exposures to dangerous chemicals. " Exposure to toxics costs California residents

an estimated $2.6 billion a year in lost wages and medical expenses, according

to a recent study. In July, final recommendations

will be sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

 

source: Los Angeles Times

 

 

 

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