Database of Chemicals and their Toxicity Levels Underway in California

Chrissie Cole

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Do you know which chemicals are used to make the toys your children play with or the plastic products that hold your drinks and foods?

An online database of chemicals and their toxicity levels in underway in California, following a new law that took effect in January.

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is creating the database, which will allow consumers to evaluate certain products and decide if they want to purchase them. Another law, enacted last month, will also enable the state to identify and rank chemicals that pose health treats as well as highlight alternatives manufacturers can choose from in place of harmful chemicals.

“There is a lack of information regarding non-toxic products,” says Maureen Gorsen, director of the DTSC. “What are the alternatives to plastics? That is where green material opportunities exist.”

The DTSC has developed a wiki which allows consumers to get involved in the creating of new rules for collecting chemical data and assessing toxicity levels in consumer products. Both laws were the result of the Green Chemistry Initiative launched by the Cal EPA in 2007.

Below are some interesting facts from the DTSC Web site:

• The worldwide chemical market grows 3 percent each year, doubling every 25 years.

• About 100,000 different chemicals are used to make consumer products today.

• Two million plastic beverage bottles are tossed away every five seconds in the United States.