M8.4 Chemical Policy Reform

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The Louisville Charter For Safer Chemicals is very important. One of the background papers for the Louisville Charter that I decided to read about was the
"[A] Platform for Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment through Innovation" because it focuses on the goal to phase out persistent, bioaccumulative, or highly toxic chemicals (PBT). 

 The article highlights how some regulations ban the manufacture or importation of specific chemicals/uses/release prevention. Eliminating the chemicals is obvious, but people will need to communicate these guidelines into specific legislature or corporate policies. There also need to be monitoring and holding people accountable -- monitoring international, national, and state regulartory measures to phase out PBTs is important to ensure compliance and to assess the effectiveness. 

 I think that education alone is not enough to reduce harmful exposures - it adds towards the movement for change, but if the chemicals can be removed, it would make it easier for people to live in a place that is healthier for them overall.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 23, 2018 at 6:02 PM

    Hi Daisy,
    I agree with you that education is not enough. I think it can help inform and change policy, and I agree with you that these chemicals should be removed. Additionally, I think that it is important to specify that similar chemicals should not be used (BPA vs BPF). I really appreciate you posting your insight on these issues.
    Best,
    Kera

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 24, 2018 at 11:28 AM

    Hi Daisy,
    Great summary of the background paper you looked at. That is such a great aspect of chemical policy reform because we have an opportunity to be innovative and improve how we create and release chemicals in the environment and it is important that the highly toxic chemicals be phased out. I also agree that education is not enough and that we need to have more action in eliminating chemical use.

    ReplyDelete

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