Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation The Fla

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Green Chemistry in California A Framework for
Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation
The Flame Retardant Dilemma April 19, 2007

• Michael P. Wilson, Ph.D, MPH
• Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
• University of California, Berkeley
• mpwilson_at_berkeley.edu

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The challenge of chemicals policy Hexane-induced
neurological disease in the vehicle repair
industry.
Harrison et al. MMWR, Nov 16, 2001, Vol 50 5
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University of California, Berkeley
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8h time-weighted average exposure concentration,
mg/m3 (n23)
Toluene
Acetone
Hexane
Wilson M, et
al. J Occ Env Hyg, May 2007
University of California, Berkeley
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Introduction of hexane into California,
1990. National effect, 1990s. Introduction of
hexane-acetone blends, 1997.
University of California, Berkeley
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Chemical management in the CA vehicle repair
industry

• Phase-out year Rationale
• 1970 Stoddard solvent Fire hazard
• 1978 CFCs Ozone depletion
• 1980 Methylene chloride Carcinogen
• 1985 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Ozone depletion
• 1990 Perchloroethylene Dioxin emissions
• 2002 Hexane/acetone blends Neurotoxin
• Next 1-Bromopropane Repro toxin

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January 2004 California Legislature request to
COEH

• What are the key chemical problems facing
  California?
• What are the consequences of those problems?
• 3) How might California respond to those
  problems?

University of California, Berkeley
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Consumers
Workers
Global, local, human ecosystem health
Chemical producers
Trade
Children
Industry business
Downstream users
Municipal agencies
The Legislature
Venture capital, entrepreneurs
Supply chains
Government
State agencies
University of California, Berkeley
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Advisory Committee Members

• John R. Balmes, MD
• School of Medicine, UC San Francisco
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• Carl F. Cranor, PhD
• Department of Philosophy, UC Riverside
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• S. Katharine Hammond, PhD
• School of Public Health, UC Berkeley
• Bill E. Kastenberg, PhD
• College of Engineering, UC Berkeley
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• Ann Keller, PhD
• School of Public Health, UC Berkeley
• Amy D. Kyle, PhD, MPH
• School of Public Health, UC Berkeley
• Geoff Lomax, DrPH

  Timothy Malloy, JD School of Law, UC Los
Angeles   Thomas E. McKone, PhD Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory   Dara ORourke,
PhD College of Natural Resources, UC
Berkeley   Julia Quint, PhD Department of Health
Services   Christine Rosen, PhD Haas School of
Business, UC Berkeley   David J. Vogel, PhD Haas
School of Business, UC Berkeley
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The Data Gap
Function
Price
Hazards
Performance
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The U.S. chemicals market, 1979 2007.
Function
Price

Safety
Performance
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To assess prioritize chemical hazards,
agencies need four pieces of information
Identity
Sales volume
Hazards
Uses
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Chemical information available to states under
TSCA, 1979 - 2007
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• University teaching research in chemistry
  reflect
• industry priorities, based on
• a flawed chemicals market,
• that operates on the function, price,
  performance of chemicals,
• with less attention to the hazards of chemicals.

Sather gate, UC Berkeley

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Global chemical production is doubling every
25-years.
University of California, Berkeley
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• The design of chemical products and processes to
  reduce and/or eliminate substances hazardous to
  human health and the environment.
• 12 principles proposed by Anastas Warner.

Anastas, P.T. and J. Warner. 1999. Green
Chemistry Theory and Practice
The University of California, Berkeley
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• From a policy perspective,
• green chemistry links public environmental
  health
• with new business investment opportunities.

The University of California, Berkeley
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UC chemicals policy analysis
Barriers to green chemistry
Drivers of green chemistry






The University of California, Berkeley
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UC chemicals policy analysis
Barriers to green chemistry
Drivers of green chemistry
TSCA, other statutes
Data Gap
Safety Gap
Tech. Gap

Markets
Government


Buyers no haz data Sellers no case for GC
Inability to assess haz Inability to control haz

• Hazard undervalued against price, function
  
  - Hazardous chemicals
  competitive in market - Green chemistry
  innovation impeded

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UC chemicals policy analysis
Barriers to green chemistry
Drivers of green chemistry
E.U. Directives
Downstream users
Industry leaders
NGO activity
Public opinion
Green chem. entrepreneurs
California Legislature
Government procurement

Climate change
National Academy
The University of California, Berkeley
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UCB chemicals policy report
Barriers to green chemistry
Drivers of green chemistry
Recommendation Implement a comprehensive
chemicals policy.

• Close the Data, Safety Technology Gaps
• Improve transparency accountability in the
  chemicals market.
• Improve government capacity to mitigate known
  hazards.
• Implement other incentives to motivate
  investment in green chemistry.

University of California, Berkeley
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U.S. chemical management over the last 30 years

• Stage 1 Disposal and dilution
• Stage 2 Waste treatment and pollution control
• Stage 3 Toxics policy
• (chemical-by-chemical approaches)
• Stage 4 Chemicals and materials policy
• (design, life cycle, transparency,
  accountability)

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A systems approach is needed to produce enduring
changes in the chemical sector. Example
electricity use.
Total electricity use per capita, kWh, 1960 - 2002
Courtesy John Wilson, CA Energy Commission
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Thank you!
University of California, Berkeley