Database of Chemicals and their Toxicity Levels Underway in California

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:30:00 GMT

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.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Toxic Substances Around the House

Daryl T. Dixon — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:12:04 GMT

Fellow Injuryboard Blogger Jeannie Oliver has written a great post on an AARP Report on Toxic and Hazardous Substances found around the home.

Before the year 2000, the Scotchgard anti-stain treatments that we were so proud of as modern housekeepers may have included chemical compounds that were potentially carcinogenic. Another hazard that most of don't consider as we spread out on that soft carpet before a good baseball game on TV, is that the flame retardants designed to make the carpet safer actually may contain ethers that can affect the thyroid glands and nervous systems of those with long-time exposure.

She goes on to note that in additon to what is mentioned above, there are toxins found in cleaning solutions and pest control products that we use around our homes everyday. I would like to thank Jeannie for bringing this out in the open.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daryl T. Dixon

Bowling Green Personal Injury Lawyer - Toxic Substances

Database of Chemicals and their Toxicity Levels Underway in California

Toxic Substances Around the House