L.A. Times backs Green Chemistry Initiative

An opinion piece in today's L.A. Times throws support behind California's Green Chemistry Initiative.

The piece argues that the Initiative's efforts to compile a list of toxic chemicals should not be postponed but may be in danger because of pressure from chemical manufacturers.

"There is such a thing as better living through chemistry, but only if it's green. As it is, the toxic substances in your sunscreen, plastic bottles, mattresses and a list of other consumer products far too long to cite may be killing you."

Chemical manufacturers don't have to disclose much, if any, information on the health hazards of their products, so shockingly little is known about the 83,000 chemicals listed under the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act. Whenever evidence surfaces that one of these chemicals is causing cancer or scrambling infants' brains, there's a push by lawmakers to ban it. Last year, California regulators announced a better solution: Under the Department of Toxic Substances Control's Green Chemistry Initiative, the state would create a comprehensive list of chemicals made, used and sold here and seek to replace the dangerous ones with safe and sustainable (i.e., green) alternatives.

The opinion piece goes on to say that the department is late - it was supposed to release final recommendations on July 1 but hasn't even released a draft version that was expected in the spring. The Times speculates that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has backed the Initiative, may be under pressure from chemical manufacturers.

Chemical makers can be expected to fiercely oppose these steps, on the grounds that they're expensive and could reveal trade secrets. There is only one possible public response: Tough. The Victorian notion that industry should be free to poison people for profit won't fly in the 21st century.