Advances in Chemical Policy Reform in Oregon: 2009-2011

1. Advances in Chemical Policy Reform in Oregon: 2009-2011 Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, PhD, MPH Program Director-Environmental Health Oregon Environmental Council

2. Oregon Environmental Council Oldest statewide environmental non-profit, founded in 1968. • We bring Oregonians together for a healthy environment. • OEC seeks proactive solutions that benefit all Oregonians. • Strategic Focus: • Protect kids from toxics • Stop global warming • Keep Oregon’s rivers clean • Promote healthy food & farm • Ensure sustainable economies

3. 2009 Oregon Legislative Wrap-up~what we wanted • SB 742 Mercury-containing lighting • SB 460 Birth anomalies registry • SB 596 Ban Deca PBDE flame retardant • SB 598 Pharmaceutical take-back • SB 668 Green cleaning in schools • HB 2367 ban sale of children’s products with BPA • HB 2792 safer alternatives for children’s products • HB 2141 Expand hazardous substance definition • SB 631 Ban sale of dishwasher soaps with more than 0.5% phosphorus content • SB 739 Require testing of residential wells for arsenic prior to property sale • HB 2134 Improve lead based paint practice requirements for contractors • HB 3037 Paint stewardship program • HB 2999 Improvements to PURS

4. Oregon Legislature considerstoxics in consumer productsScott Learn, The OregonianMarch 29, 2009 Should Oregon have more say over the chemicals used to make your baby's bottle, her toys, your dishwasher detergent and your sofa? The Legislature gets to answer that question this session, with a dozen bills targeting the chemical hazards of everyday life. Potential toxics on the hit list range from fire retardants in upholstered furniture to phosphates in dishwasher soap to plastic additives in baby bottles and soft plastic toys.

5. 2009 Oregon Legislative Wrap-up~what we got • IPM in schools • Diesel School bus retrofit requirement • Pesticide Use Reporting System: sunset extended, reporting area reduced to watershed from water basin • Ban on the sale of residential dishwasher soaps with more than 0.5% phosphorus content • Residential well testing for arsenic prior to property sale • School facility task force to assess environmental health of schools (IAQ) • Improved lead based paint practice requirements for contractors/remodlers • Deca PBDE ban

6. 2009 Oregon Legislative Wrap-up~what we gotthat we didn’t want • PURS defunded • School Facilities Task Force defunded • Worsening Budget Crisis • Last revenue forecast: short $500 Million

7. Non-Legislative Steps Forward • SB 737 implementation • Priority Persistent Pollutant List (118) • DEQ’s Toxics Reduction Strategy • Fish Consumption Rate update • Oregon participation in IC2 and alternatives assessment • Oregon Chemical Policy Roundtable

8. 2010—Short SessionBAN BPA • Building block of polycarbonate plastic • 2 billion lbs a year produced in the U.S. • FDA action—stated concern for infant neurobehavioral development from BPA exposure • Progress in other states: CT, Minnesota, WA

9. Oregon ban on baby bottle chemical fails on tie vote http://tdn.com/

10. Coalition Building for the Future • AFSCME Local 88 & 3336 • Children First for Oregon • City of Portland • Coalition for a Livable Future • Community Health Partnership, Oregon’s Public Health Institute • Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs • Environment Oregon • Environmental Working Group (EWG) • Family Forward • Metro • MomsRising • Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides • Oregon Center for Christian Values • Oregon Center for Environmental Health • Oregon Conservation Network • Oregon Environmental Council • Oregon League of Conservation Voters • Oregon Medical Association • Oregon Nurses Association • Oregon Physician’s for Social Responsibility • Oregon Public Health Association • OSPIRG • Oregon Toxics Alliance • Oregon Women’s Health & Wellness Alliance • Planned Parenthood • Rachel's Friends • Stand for Children • Tualatin Riverkeepers • Upstream Public Health • Willamette Riverkeeper

11. Continuing to Raise Awareness

12. Back to the Future-2011Challenges industry and business pushback tight state budget climate fatigue for the issue among other

13. Back to the Future-2011Key Questions How do we implement policies to maximize resources in the face of increasingly limited resources? What are collective tools/resources/strategies that maximize benefit? How to leverage policy activity from other states? How to leverage policy activity from existing statute? What do we need to defend? What do we need to improve? 

14. Back to the Future-2011 Continue to build on current effort Set measurable goals for toxic reduction state-wide Identify key actions states and local governments can take that spur innovation while continuing to advance reforms to chemical management policies Push for federal reforms and preserving states ability to act

15. BPA -PLUS Ban • Prohibit the use of BPA in baby bottles, children’s food containers, & reusable water bottles • Ensure other harmful chemicals are not used as a substitute for BPA in baby bottles and children’s food and beverage containers. • Gives consumers information to make informed purchasing choices • Separate bill to implement a state-wide toxic reduction plan

16. Investing in a Greener Infrastructure in Oregon • Invest in & build in-state institutional Green Chemistry research capacity. • Create incentives for investment. • Provide technical assistance to firms working toward safer alternatives. • Identify and invest in key sectors ripe for alternatives.

17. THANK YOU! reneep@oeconline.org www.oeconline.org