Framing a Future Chemicals
Policy
Joel A. Tickner, ScD
Lowell Center for Sustainable
Production
April 28, 2005
Summary
• Modern chemicals have played a critical role in our
products, our quality of life.
• Yet, many modern chemicals also present
environmental and public health dangers and for
many others we just don’t know
• Q: Can we achieve the functions that chemicals
provide while using less harmful materials and
stimulating innovation?
• A: The answer is yes.
Framing the Problem
• Way problem is framed helps to define the
types of solutions one seeks
• A broader, more inclusive framing can help
lead to deeper, longer-lasting solutions
• There is likely to be some disagreement
on the nature of the problem (and the
solutions).
Internationally – Similar Problems
1. Lack of information on chemicals in commerce
2. Unequal treatment of new/existing chemicals
3. Slow, inefficient chemical by chemical risk
4.
5.
6.
7.
assessment/management processes
Lack of integrated, modernized, and forwardlooking approach to chemicals management.
Lack of incentives to stimulate development of
safer substitutes
Increasing concern about chemicals
Lack of public confidence in government and
industry
1. Lack of information
• Has been identified since the 1970s as a
key concern
– Chemical toxicity, fate, distribution
– Supply chain uses of chemicals
– Chemical flows through the economy and
within firms
– Exposure
– Substitutes and design changes
2. Unequal treatment of new and
existing chemicals
• Arbitrary distinction that is political not
scientific
• Greater attention paid to new vs. existing
chemicals
– Implications for effective risk management of
existing chemicals
– Hindrance to bringing safer chemicals to
market
3. Slow, Chemical by Chemical
Management Processes
• Costly and time consuming
• Inefficient for government and industry
• Reacts to “problem of the day”
• High burdens for governments to institute
risk management measures
• Lack of signals to producers and users of
chemicals of problems or solutions
4. Lack of an modernized
chemicals management system
• Early policies established to deal with a small number of
highly dangerous chemicals, not a broad number of
chemicals with potentially subtle, uncertain effects.
– New science – vulnerable subpopulations, new endpoints,
population-based exposures (not localized)
• Focus on industrial manufacture and use of chemicals
•
•
not use in products or lifecycles
Early policies assumed management on a media by
media basis through end of pipe controls
Large number of costly, unintegrated and overlapping
regulations
Environmental Regulations
EPACT
FFCA
CERFA
CRAA
AMFA
ARPAA
AJA
ASBCAA
ESAA-AECA
FFRAA
FEAPRA
IRA
NWPAA
CODRA/NMSPAA
FCRPA
MMPAA
120
Number of Laws
110
100
AQ
A
NAWCA
RCRAA
WLDI
APA
SWDA
CERCLA
CZMIA
COWLDA
FWLCA
MPRSAA
CAAA
CWA
SMCRA
SWRCA
SDWAA
90
80
70
NWPA
ARPA
BLBA
HMTA
FWPCA
MPRSA
ESA
CZMA
NCA TAPA
FEPCA
PWSA
MMPA
60
50
AQA
FOIA
40
WQA
SDWAA
SARA
MPRSAA
FRRRPA
SOWA
DPA
FCMHSA
WRPA
AFCA
30
TA
FWCA
BPA
20
10
0
RHA
WA
NBRA
IA
AA
AEPA
MBCA
NPS
YA
1870 1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
FHSA
NFMUA
FIFRA PAA
FAWRA
NLRA
WPA
1940
NHPA
WLDA
FWCAA
FWA
AEA
1950
1960
1970
WSRA
EA
RCFHSA
1980
PPA
PPVA
IEREA
ANTPA
GLCPA
ABA
CZARA
WRDA
EDP
OPA
RECA
CAAA
GCRA
GLFWRA
HMTUSA
NEEA
1990
BLRA
ERDDAA
EAWA
NOPPA
PTSA
UMTRCA
ESAA
QGA
NCPA
TSCA
FLPMA
RCRA
NFMA
CZMAA
NEPA
EQIA
CAA
EPA
EEA
OSHA
FAWRAA
NPAA
2000
5. Lack of incentives for innovation
• Minimal government agency resources for
•
•
•
•
prevention
Lack of technical support for firms wanting to
innovate
Little funding for green chemistry and design for
environment
Little economic/marketplace incentives for firms
making safer chemicals and products
Reactive rather than proactive focus of government
and industrial policy
6. Concerns about chemicals
• Public, scientific, government, industrial
• Noted failures of chemicals management – PCBs,
•
•
•
lead, asbestos, mercury, accidents such as
Bhopal
Concerns about chemicals in body burden,
house dust, food, vulnerable populations
Concerns about links to certain diseases
Potential to tarnish image of chemistry and
chemical industry
7. Lack of public confidence
• Public concerns that chemicals are adversely
•
affecting health and are ubiquitous in our bodies
and our environment.
Public mistrust in industry and government
– The government wouldn’t allow chemicals on the
market if they weren’t tested for safety
– Industry demonstrates the safety of their chemical
products before they are allowed in everyday
products and emitted into the environment.
However, the situation is not all bad solutions are Emerging in the U.S.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
High Production Volume Challenge
Design for the Environment/Green Chemistry
Children’s environmental health
Rapid screening tools
Pollution prevention
Right to Know
State level efforts
Innovations internationally
• REACH
• SAICM
• Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
• GHS
• Leadership of many international firms in
sustainable chemicals management
Toxics Use Reduction in
Massachusetts – a possible model?
• Firms characterize chemicals use – why, how
•
•
•
•
much, cost
Firms identify possible alternatives and analyze
economic, technical and EH&S pros/cons
Firms are provided state organized technical
assistance and research support to study and
institute alternatives
Chemicals use data are compiled by state to
measure progress
An iterative planning process
MA TCE Cleaning Use Data
2.5
2
1.5
millions of pounds
1
0.5
0
1990
1996
2001
2002
The Future
• Change is occurring and U.S. businesses have to
•
compete in an increasingly environmentally/
health conscious marketplace
There is a need for dialogue on solutions
• Mature dialogue in Europe and internationally
• Important to break down negative stereotypes
• Broad group of stakeholders beyond the typical ones
• Identifying options and opportunities to move
•
forward.
Can’t hide heads in the sand anymore
Finding our common goals
for the future and where do
we want to go from here?
World Summit on Sustainable
Development, Johannesburg, 2002
Renew the commitment…to sound management of
chemicals throughout their life cycle and of hazardous
wastes for sustainable development as well as for the
protection of human health and the environment
aiming to achieve, by 2020, that chemicals are used
and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of
significant adverse effects on human health and the
environment….
Framing our objectives for the
future?
• Businesses and industries that are innovative, versatile
•
•
•
•
and competitive
Products that are safe, do not expose consumers and
communities to potentially harmful substances and that
provide functionality and value.
A natural environment that supports the health and well
being of children, adults, wildlife and ecosystems
Good, healthy jobs in sustainable industries
Ultimately - identifying components of a more
sustainable chemicals management framework that
supports innovation while addressing problems
Key concepts that underlie elements of
a sustainable chemicals policy
– Chemicals not as discreet entities but in
terms of the functions they provide
– Consideration of lifecycle impacts
– Toxicity as a descriptor of properties and
design consideration, not an afterthought
– Integrated approaches to chemicals and
materials management
What do we need to get there? –
Elements of a more sustainable
chemicals future
• Good quality information for preventive
decision-making
• Improving information flows in supply
chains and beyond
• Improving our understanding of substance
flows through the economy
What do we need to get there? –
Elements of a more sustainable
chemicals future
• Promotion and development of substitution and
•
•
•
alternatives assessment processes
Promotion of innovation in green chemistry and
alternative materials and products
Integrating sustainable chemicals management
into industrial decision-making processes
Integration of US and Global chemicals initiatives
Every Beginning is Hard
--Traditional Hungarian Saying
Conclusions
• There is a unique opportunity to advance
•
•
chemicals policy that provides understanding
and information on chemicals, addresses
chemical hazards/risks and promotes innovation.
Moving forward requires new strategies, new
thinking, new collaborations and creative, open
thinking
Need to move our frame from reaction to
proactive solutions