Ideal Chemical Policy

An ideal chemical policy is one that:

1) bans the use of the most highly toxic persistent chemicals

2) moves towards the production of alternative, safer chemicals

3) rewards the use of alternative chemicals

4) finds ways to manage/eliminate the persistent chemicals in the environment

5) test all new chemicals before entering the market

Banning the use of the most highly toxic chemicals currently out in the environment is a very important aspect of an effective chemical policy because it would eliminate the number of and rate of such chemicals. Another important aspect would be for manufacturers to move towards the production of alternative chemicals that are safer for humans and the environment. Rewarding those who are already using and/or manufacturing such alternatives would motivate more people to do the same. In addition to this, finding ways of managing and eliminating the persistent chemicals in the environment so that once that chemical has been banned, traces of it still out in the world do not expose animals and crops which could eventually expose us. Lastly, having a strict policy of testing all new chemicals before entering the market.

One aspect that I find particularly important of this ideal chemical policy is finding ways to manage and eliminate the persistent chemicals out in the environment. For chemicals that are as highly toxic as persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemicals (PBTs) banning the use of and production of them will not eliminate those already out in the environment and because they are slow to degrade there is a risk that they will continue exposing animals, plants, and humans until something is done to control them. For example, by finding a way to naturally break down such chemicals in the environment while phasing out the production of this chemical.