Dear Friends--Although this article is not about Tompkins County, the document referred to below (see URL) has important implications for all of us. It is an accessible (meaning, not too technical) overview of the impact of industrial chemicals on our populations and what can be done about it. It contains a variety of other interesting information and charts, etc. Enjoy your chemicals in good health.... Tom
A PDF of the report is available from the the UCLA Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at <http://www.coeh.ucla.edu/greenchemistry.pdf>www.coeh.ucla.edu/greenchemistry.pdf (2.14 MB). >Associated Press > ><http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_7993494>http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_7993494 > >Chemical-related illnesses cost state > >By Terence Chea The Associated Press > >Article Launched: 01/16/2008 11:42:07 PM PST > > >SAN FRANCISCO - Toxic chemicals sicken and kill thousands of people in >California each year and cost the state an estimated $2.6 billion in >medical expenses and lost wages, according to a report set to be released >today. > >The study by University of California researchers details the economic, >environmental and public health effects of industrial chemicals and calls >for state policies to phase out dangerous substances and promote safer >alternatives. > >"This area is an essential piece of a sustainable future," said Michael >Wilson, a research scientist at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. >"We don't have a comprehensive policy on how chemicals and products are >designed, used and disposed of in this state." > >The report, "Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California," >was commissioned by the California Environmental Protection Agency and >endorsed by 127 researchers at UC campuses and national laboratories in >California. The researchers are scheduled to brief state lawmakers on >their findings on Friday. > >The researchers estimate that in 2004, more than 200,000 California >workers suffered from chronic diseases linked to workplace exposure to >industrial chemicals. Another 4,400 people died of those diseases, which >include cancer, emphysema and Parkinson's disease. > >Those illnesses cost state businesses, insurers and families $1.4 billion >in hospitalizations, drugs and other medical expenses, as well as lost >compensation to workers who could no longer work, according to the report. >Another 240,000 cases of asthma and other childhood diseases related to >chemical exposure cost the state another $1.2 billion. > >While the study focuses on 2004, the most recent year for which data is >available, the numbers are representative of the effect of chemical >exposure in California in a typical year, said Paul Leigh, an economist at >the UC Davis School of Medicine who analyzed existing data to develop the >estimates. > >Farmworkers, welders, hairdressers, beauticians and spray painters are >among the workers most likely to be exposed to toxic chemicals on the job, >according to the report. > >The European Union is far ahead of the United States in passing laws to >ban toxic chemicals in favor of more environmental friendly alternatives, >so many products that can't be sold in Europe are shipped to the U.S., >Wilson said. > >"As the rest of the world starts moving ahead, we become a market for the >stuff no one else wants to buy," he said. > >The report's authors urged California officials to take the lead in >promoting "green chemistry," saying it represents an enormous opportunity >for economic growth and could create a more predictable market for >manufacturers. > >"Their business liability could be reduced if they had some kind of clear >standard," said UC Berkeley researcher Megan Schwarzman. > >Chemical companies would welcome a more comprehensive state policy, rather >than a "piecemeal" approach targeting specific chemicals or products, said >John Ulrich, who heads the Chemical Industry Council of California. > >Ulrich said the chemical industry was moving toward developing and marking >safer, more eco-friendly products, pointing to Oakland-based Clorox Co.'s >new line of "green" cleaning products that have been endorsed by the >Sierra Club. > >"Green chemistry is the natural evolution of a forward-looking industry," >Ulrich said. "I think companies need to be looking in that direction, and >they are looking in that direction." > >Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year launched the California Green >Chemistry Initiative to bring together scientists, policymakers and >industry officials to develop policy recommendations for chemicals. Tom Shelley 118 E. Court St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607 342-0864 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.myspace.com/99319958 P I thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The World Commission on Environment and Development, Gro Harlem Brundtland Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987 MY NOTE: Sustainable development does not mean "sustainable growth" as growth per se is not sustainable. And the term "sustainable" has to mean "for a very long time" (A. Bartlett). "The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives." Sioux proverb _______________________________________________ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
