On Monday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law two bills that aim to reduce the toxicity of consumer goods and inform the public about health hazards posed by toxics. Right now, existing law only lets the state regulate the disposal of toxic chemicals, but the new legislation gives the state Department of Toxic Substances Control authority to restrict or ban toxic substances in consumer goods after a science-based process can be designed to evaluate the chemicals. Officials say such a program should be in place by 2011. The laws also create a state-run website that will act as a clearinghouse for information on toxic chemicals' effects. "With these two bills, we will stop looking at toxics as an inevitable byproduct of industrial production," Schwarzenegger said. "Instead, they will be something that can be removed from every product in the design stage." However, to the dismay of some consumer groups, the legislation doesn't require companies to disclose information on the hazards of any chemicals they use or produce.
The Goods, the Bad, and the Ugly
California enacts new laws to reduce toxicity of consumer goods 1
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Posted 5:06 PM on 29 Sep 2008
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Masked Goddess Posted 7:22 am
30 Sep 2008
I would however like the disclosure by companies of the hazards of chemicals they used/produce.
Never in my wildest dreams (and I was a hippie, so I had some wild dreams folks!) would I have thought that my body would now react to perfume, cologne, newspaper ink, plastics, formaldehyde in furniture, clothing, even plastic food baggies for God's sake etc., etc., etc. in the ways that it now does. Like many of you, I didn't think I needed to know what was in perfume, shampoo, body lotion, etc. I've learned the hard way that just because it's on the shelf doesn't mean it's safe. And hey, if someone had told me this same story 8 years ago I might've thought: what an odd person. By the way, my mask is lace (hey, if I have to wear one, why not lace!). And for any of you who find the need for one, try: icanbreathe.org
Multiple chemical sensitivity / environmental illness, whatever you want to call it - it's real and it doesn't discriminate. Thanks for "listening" folks and a gentle reminder to not be so quick to dismiss someone with an "invisible illness". Peace!
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