Happy Earth Day First Earth DayToxic SubstancesLove CanalLove Canal--ImpactAftermath of Love CanalOverviewSlide 8Slide 9The chemical revolutionHow widespread a problem?Are toxic substances unique?Toxicity responseWhat factors affect toxicity?Classes of toxic substancesMutagensCarcinogensTeratogensImmune & nervous systemsEndocrine SystemWhat do we know?How do we monitor the problem?Human health indicatorsHow do we regulate toxic substances?Examples of types of toxics regulationClasses of chemicalsMode of exposure“Other” toxic substancesWhat regulatory options?Health-basedFeasibility statutesRisk-Benefit StatutesInformational approachesPrecautionFuture of toxicsBisphenol-A (BPA)Bisphenol-A alternativesMAINE CASE STUDY: An Act to Protect Children’s Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children’s ProductsBrominated Flame RetardantsSlide 40Happy Earth Happy Earth Day Day First Earth DayFirst Earth DaySenator Gaylord Nelson (Wisconsin)Senator Gaylord Nelson (Wisconsin)–Building on idea of anti-war rallies, decided Building on idea of anti-war rallies, decided to hold “teach-in” about environmentto hold “teach-in” about environment–April 22, 1970 estimated 20 million people April 22, 1970 estimated 20 million people (10% US population) participated(10% US population) participatedToxic SubstancesToxic SubstancesToxic SubstancesToxic SubstancesES118 Spring 2008ES118 Spring 2008Love CanalLove CanalHooker Chemical Co. dumped tons of toxic waste Hooker Chemical Co. dumped tons of toxic waste (PCBs, dioxin, benzene, lindane…) in Niagara Falls, (PCBs, dioxin, benzene, lindane…) in Niagara Falls, NYNY1953 Hooker sold site to Niagara Falls School Board 1953 Hooker sold site to Niagara Falls School Board for $1 and deed that absolved them of liabilityfor $1 and deed that absolved them of liability1978 State disclosed site could be harmful1978 State disclosed site could be harmful1,000 families affected, higher miscarriage rate, 1,000 families affected, higher miscarriage rate, many more birth defectsmany more birth defectsLois Gibbs formed homeowners association, Lois Gibbs formed homeowners association, national attentionnational attentionLove Canal--ImpactLove Canal--Impact1978 President Carter declared LC 1978 President Carter declared LC federal disaster area, cleanup beganfederal disaster area, cleanup beganOccidental Petroleum (bought Hooker) Occidental Petroleum (bought Hooker) ultimately paid over $200 million to ultimately paid over $200 million to state, federal government and state, federal government and residentsresidentsLed to major federal legislation that Led to major federal legislation that gave EPA authority to control gave EPA authority to control hazardous wastehazardous wasteAftermath of Love Aftermath of Love CanalCanal1980 Comprehensive Response, Compensation, and 1980 Comprehensive Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CRCLA),Liability Act (CRCLA), commonly known as “Superfund” commonly known as “Superfund”–Goal: Identify hazardous waste sites and clean up sites on a priority Goal: Identify hazardous waste sites and clean up sites on a priority basisbasis–Worst sites put on Worst sites put on National Priorities ListNational Priorities List (NPL) and scheduled for (NPL) and scheduled for cleanupcleanup–Make responsible parties pay for cleanup when possibleMake responsible parties pay for cleanup when possible–Initially $1.6 billion fund to identify and clean up worst sites, tax on Initially $1.6 billion fund to identify and clean up worst sites, tax on manufacturers of certain organic chemicals and oil importersmanufacturers of certain organic chemicals and oil importers–1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) “right 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) “right to know” policy to know” policy –Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act provided for Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act provided for public release of information about chemicals made by, stored in, and public release of information about chemicals made by, stored in, and released by businesses through released by businesses through Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)What happened?What happened?–>44,000 sites evaluated, by 2004 about 1,200 active NPL sites, and >44,000 sites evaluated, by 2004 about 1,200 active NPL sites, and about 900 cleaned up and/or removedabout 900 cleaned up and/or removed–>$27 billion spent>$27 billion spent–Depletion of trust fund under Bush Administration in 2003, relies now Depletion of trust fund under Bush Administration in 2003, relies now on annual appropriations of tax dollars and money recovered from on annual appropriations of tax dollars and money recovered from companies linked to sitescompanies linked to sitesOverviewOverviewMilestones and extent of problemMilestones and extent of problemFactors that affect toxicity and Factors that affect toxicity and classes of toxic substancesclasses of toxic substancesHow do we monitor impact of How do we monitor impact of toxic substances?toxic substances?How do we regulate toxic How do we regulate toxic substances? substances? Extent and impactsToxicity factors and classesMonitoringRegulation and informationExtent and impactsToxicity factors and classesMonitoringRegulation and informationThe chemical The chemical revolutionrevolutionThe number and amount of chemicals substances The number and amount of chemicals substances sold commercially in the US has grown dramaticallysold commercially in the US has grown dramaticallyHow widespread a How widespread a problem?problem?35,000 chemicals used daily in US industry35,000 chemicals used daily in US industry–500-1,000 new chemicals created annually500-1,000 new chemicals created annually–120,000 US establishments create and 120,000 US establishments create and distribute chemicalsdistribute chemicals–<7% proposed for manufacture % EPA reviewed<7% proposed for manufacture % EPA reviewed> 20,700 pesticides used in US, and >1.2 > 20,700 pesticides used in US, and >1.2 billion lbs of pesticides produced annually, billion lbs of pesticides produced annually, with >890 active ingredientswith >890 active ingredientsEPA has prohibited or restricted EPA has prohibited or restricted manufacture of more than 500 commercial manufacture of more than 500