Framing a Future Framing a Future Chemicals PolicyChemicals Policy

Joel A. Tickner, ScDJoel A. Tickner, ScDLowell Center for Sustainable Lowell Center for Sustainable

ProductionProductionApril 28, 2005April 28, 2005

SummarySummary

• Modern chemicals have played a critical role Modern chemicals have played a critical role in our products, our quality of life.in our products, our quality of life.

• Yet, many modern chemicals also present Yet, many modern chemicals also present environmental and public health dangers and environmental and public health dangers and for many others we just don’t knowfor many others we just don’t know

• Q: Can we achieve the functions that Q: Can we achieve the functions that chemicals provide while using less harmful chemicals provide while using less harmful materials and stimulating innovation?materials and stimulating innovation?

• A: The answer is yes.A: The answer is yes.

Framing the ProblemFraming the Problem

• Way problem is framed helps to Way problem is framed helps to define the types of solutions one define the types of solutions one seeksseeks

• A broader, more inclusive framing A broader, more inclusive framing can help lead to deeper, longer-can help lead to deeper, longer-lasting solutionslasting solutions

• There is likely to be some There is likely to be some disagreement on the nature of the disagreement on the nature of the problem (and the solutions).problem (and the solutions).

Internationally – Similar Internationally – Similar ProblemsProblems

1.1. Lack of information on chemicals in Lack of information on chemicals in commercecommerce

2.2. Unequal treatment of new/existing chemicalsUnequal treatment of new/existing chemicals

3.3. Slow, inefficient chemical by chemical risk Slow, inefficient chemical by chemical risk assessment/management processesassessment/management processes

4.4. Lack of integrated, modernized, and forward-Lack of integrated, modernized, and forward-looking approach to chemicals management.looking approach to chemicals management.

5.5. Lack of incentives to stimulate development Lack of incentives to stimulate development of safer substitutesof safer substitutes

6.6. Increasing concern about chemicalsIncreasing concern about chemicals

7.7. Lack of public confidence in government and Lack of public confidence in government and industryindustry

1. Lack of information1. Lack of information

• Has been identified since the 1970s Has been identified since the 1970s as a key concernas a key concern– Chemical toxicity, fate, distributionChemical toxicity, fate, distribution– Supply chain uses of chemicals Supply chain uses of chemicals – Chemical flows through the economy Chemical flows through the economy

and within firmsand within firms– ExposureExposure– Substitutes and design changesSubstitutes and design changes

2. Unequal treatment of new 2. Unequal treatment of new and existing chemicalsand existing chemicals

• Arbitrary distinction that is political Arbitrary distinction that is political not scientificnot scientific

• Greater attention paid to new vs. Greater attention paid to new vs. existing chemicalsexisting chemicals– Implications for effective risk Implications for effective risk

management of existing chemicalsmanagement of existing chemicals– Hindrance to bringing safer chemicals to Hindrance to bringing safer chemicals to

marketmarket

3. Slow, Chemical by Chemical 3. Slow, Chemical by Chemical Management ProcessesManagement Processes

• Costly and time consumingCostly and time consuming

• Inefficient for government and industryInefficient for government and industry

• Reacts to “problem of the day”Reacts to “problem of the day”

• High burdens for governments to High burdens for governments to institute risk management measuresinstitute risk management measures

• Lack of signals to producers and users Lack of signals to producers and users of chemicals of problems or solutionsof chemicals of problems or solutions

4. Lack of an modernized 4. Lack of an modernized chemicals management chemicals management systemsystem• Early policies established to deal with a small Early policies established to deal with a small

number of highly dangerous chemicals, not a number of highly dangerous chemicals, not a broad number of chemicals with potentially broad number of chemicals with potentially subtle, uncertain effects.subtle, uncertain effects.– New science – vulnerable subpopulations, new New science – vulnerable subpopulations, new

endpoints, population-based exposures (not localized)endpoints, population-based exposures (not localized)

• Focus on industrial manufacture and use of Focus on industrial manufacture and use of chemicals not use in products or lifecycleschemicals not use in products or lifecycles

• Early policies assumed management on a media Early policies assumed management on a media by media basis through end of pipe controlsby media basis through end of pipe controls

• Large number of costly, unintegrated and Large number of costly, unintegrated and overlapping regulationsoverlapping regulations

Environmental Environmental RegulationsRegulations

AMFAARPAA

AJAASBCAA

ESAA-AECAFFRAA

FEAPRAIRA

NWPAACODRA/NMSPAA

FCRPAMMPAA

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

01870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 19902000

EPACTFFCACERFACRAA

PPAPPVAIEREAANTPAGLCPAABACZARAWRDAEDPOPARECACAAAGCRAGLFWRAHMTUSANEEA

SDWAASARA

BLRAERDDAAEAWANOPPAPTSAUMTRCAESAAQGANCPA

TSCAFLPMARCRANFMACZMAA

NEPAEQIACAAEPAEEAOSHAFAWRAANPAA

FRRRPASOWADPA

WSRAEARCFHSA

AQA

NAWCA

WQA

NWPA

MPRSAAARPA

HMTA

FCMHSA

NHPA

WLDAFWCAA

FWAAEA

AEPA FIFRA PAA

FAWRAMBCANPSWA

IANBRA

AARHAYA

TAFWCABPA

NLRAWPA

AQAFOIA

WRPAAFCA

FHSANFMUA

BLBAFWPCAMPRSACZMANCA

FEPCAPWSAMMPA

ESATAPA

RCRAAWLDI

APASWDA

CERCLACZMIA

COWLDAFWLCAMPRSAA

CAAACWA

SMCRASWRCASDWAA

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of

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5. Lack of incentives for 5. Lack of incentives for innovationinnovation

• Minimal government agency resources for Minimal government agency resources for preventionprevention

• Lack of technical support for firms wanting to Lack of technical support for firms wanting to innovateinnovate

• Little funding for green chemistry and design Little funding for green chemistry and design for environmentfor environment

• Little economic/marketplace incentives for Little economic/marketplace incentives for firms making safer chemicals and productsfirms making safer chemicals and products

• Reactive rather than proactive focus of Reactive rather than proactive focus of government and industrial policygovernment and industrial policy

6. Concerns about 6. Concerns about chemicalschemicals• Public, scientific, government, industrialPublic, scientific, government, industrial• Noted failures of chemicals management – Noted failures of chemicals management –

PCBs, lead, asbestos, mercury, accidents PCBs, lead, asbestos, mercury, accidents such as Bhopalsuch as Bhopal

• Concerns about chemicals in body burden, Concerns about chemicals in body burden, house dust, food, vulnerable populationshouse dust, food, vulnerable populations

• Concerns about links to certain diseasesConcerns about links to certain diseases• Potential to tarnish image of chemistry Potential to tarnish image of chemistry

and chemical industryand chemical industry

7. Lack of public confidence7. Lack of public confidence

• Public concerns that chemicals are adversely Public concerns that chemicals are adversely affecting health and are ubiquitous in our affecting health and are ubiquitous in our bodies and our environment.bodies and our environment.

• Public mistrust in industry and governmentPublic mistrust in industry and government– The government wouldn’t allow chemicals on the The government wouldn’t allow chemicals on the

market if they weren’t tested for safetymarket if they weren’t tested for safety– Industry demonstrates the safety of their chemical Industry demonstrates the safety of their chemical

products before they are allowed in everyday products before they are allowed in everyday products and emitted into the environment.products and emitted into the environment.

However, the situation is not all However, the situation is not all bad - solutions are Emerging in bad - solutions are Emerging in the U.S.the U.S.• High Production Volume ChallengeHigh Production Volume Challenge

• Design for the Environment/Green Design for the Environment/Green ChemistryChemistry

• Children’s environmental healthChildren’s environmental health

• Rapid screening toolsRapid screening tools

• Pollution preventionPollution prevention

• Right to KnowRight to Know

• State level effortsState level efforts

Innovations internationallyInnovations internationally

• REACHREACH

• SAICMSAICM

• Rotterdam and Stockholm Rotterdam and Stockholm ConventionsConventions

• GHSGHS

• Leadership of many international firms Leadership of many international firms in sustainable chemicals managementin sustainable chemicals management

Toxics Use Reduction in Toxics Use Reduction in Massachusetts – a possible Massachusetts – a possible model?model?• Firms characterize chemicals use – why, Firms characterize chemicals use – why,

how much, costhow much, cost• Firms identify possible alternatives and Firms identify possible alternatives and

analyze economic, technical and EH&S analyze economic, technical and EH&S pros/conspros/cons

• Firms are provided state organized Firms are provided state organized technical assistance and research support technical assistance and research support to study and institute alternativesto study and institute alternatives

• Chemicals use data are compiled by state Chemicals use data are compiled by state to measure progressto measure progress

• An iterative planning processAn iterative planning process

MA TCE Cleaning Use DataMA TCE Cleaning Use Data

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

1990 1996 2001 2002

millions of pounds

The FutureThe Future• Change is occurring and U.S. businesses Change is occurring and U.S. businesses

have to compete in an increasingly have to compete in an increasingly environmentally/ health conscious environmentally/ health conscious marketplacemarketplace

• There is a need for dialogue on solutionsThere is a need for dialogue on solutions• Mature dialogue in Europe and internationallyMature dialogue in Europe and internationally

• Important to break down negative stereotypesImportant to break down negative stereotypes

• Broad group of stakeholders beyond the typical onesBroad group of stakeholders beyond the typical ones

• Identifying options and opportunities to Identifying options and opportunities to move forward.move forward.

• Can’t hide heads in the sand anymoreCan’t hide heads in the sand anymore

Finding our common goals for the future and where do we want to go from here?

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….

World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002

Framing our objectives for the Framing our objectives for the future?future?• Businesses and industries that are innovative, Businesses and industries that are innovative,

versatile and competitiveversatile and competitive• Products that are safe, do not expose consumers Products that are safe, do not expose consumers

and communities to potentially harmful substances and communities to potentially harmful substances and that provide functionality and value.and that provide functionality and value.

• A natural environment that supports the health and A natural environment that supports the health and well being of children, adults, wildlife and well being of children, adults, wildlife and ecosystemsecosystems

• Good, healthy jobs in sustainable industriesGood, healthy jobs in sustainable industries• Ultimately - identifying components of a more Ultimately - identifying components of a more

sustainable chemicals management framework that sustainable chemicals management framework that supports innovation while addressing problemssupports innovation while addressing problems

Key concepts that underlie Key concepts that underlie elements of a sustainable elements of a sustainable chemicals policychemicals policy

– Chemicals not as discreet entities Chemicals not as discreet entities but in terms of the functions they but in terms of the functions they provideprovide

– Consideration of lifecycle impactsConsideration of lifecycle impacts– Toxicity as a descriptor of properties Toxicity as a descriptor of properties

and design consideration, not an and design consideration, not an afterthoughtafterthought

– Integrated approaches to chemicals Integrated approaches to chemicals and materials managementand materials management

What do we need to get there? – What do we need to get there? – Elements of a more sustainable Elements of a more sustainable chemicals futurechemicals future

• Good quality information for Good quality information for preventive decision-makingpreventive decision-making

• Improving information flows in supply Improving information flows in supply chains and beyondchains and beyond

• Improving our understanding of Improving our understanding of substance flows through the economysubstance flows through the economy

What do we need to get there? – What do we need to get there? – Elements of a more sustainable Elements of a more sustainable chemicals futurechemicals future

• Promotion and development of substitution Promotion and development of substitution and alternatives assessment processesand alternatives assessment processes

• Promotion of innovation in green chemistry Promotion of innovation in green chemistry and alternative materials and productsand alternative materials and products

• Integrating sustainable chemicals Integrating sustainable chemicals management into industrial decision-management into industrial decision-making processesmaking processes

• Integration of US and Global chemicals Integration of US and Global chemicals initiativesinitiatives

Every Beginning is Hard

--Traditional Hungarian Saying

ConclusionsConclusions

• There is a unique opportunity to advance There is a unique opportunity to advance chemicals policy that provides understanding chemicals policy that provides understanding and information on chemicals, addresses and information on chemicals, addresses chemical hazards/risks and promotes chemical hazards/risks and promotes innovation.innovation.

• Moving forward requires new strategies, new Moving forward requires new strategies, new thinking, new collaborations and creative, thinking, new collaborations and creative, open thinking open thinking

• Need to move our frame from reaction to Need to move our frame from reaction to proactive solutionsproactive solutions