Bill Text: CA AB3354 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Hazardous materials: green chemistry.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-24 - Read first time. [AB3354 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB3354-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 3354

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Introduced by Assembly Member Friedman

February 21, 2020

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An act to amend Sections 25215.8, 25251, 25257.2, and 108940 of, and to repeal Sections 25252, 25252.5, 25253, 25253.5, 25254, 25255, and 25257.1 of, the Health and Safety Code, relating to hazardous materials.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 3354, as introduced, Friedman. Hazardous materials: green chemistry.

Existing law requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to adopt regulations to establish a process to identify and prioritize those chemicals or chemical ingredients in consumer products that may be considered as being a chemical of concern. Existing law requires the department to adopt regulations to establish a process for evaluating chemicals of concern in consumer products and their potential alternatives, to determine how best to limit exposure or reduce the level of hazard posed by a chemical of concern. Existing law requires the department to establish a Green Ribbon Science Panel to, among other things, advise the department in the adoption of those regulations.

This bill would repeal the above provisions and would make conforming changes.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 25215.8 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

25215.8.

 (a)A person shall not manufacture, sell, or install a wheel weight in California that contains more than 0.1 percent lead by weight.

(b)If the department identifies an alternative to lead contained in wheel weights as a chemical of concern pursuant to Section 25252, the lead alternative remains subject to the evaluation process imposed pursuant to Section 25253 to determine how best to limit exposure or to reduce the level of hazard posed by the lead alternative.

(c)This section shall not be construed to restrict the authority of the department pursuant to Sections 25252 and 25253 relating to a chemical or chemical ingredient contained in wheel weights, including, but not limited to, an alternative to lead.

SEC. 2.

 Section 25251 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

25251.

 For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Clearinghouse” means the Toxics Information Clearinghouse established pursuant to Section 25256.

(b)“Council” means the California Environmental Policy Council established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 71017 of the Public Resources Code.

(c)

(b) “Office” means Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

(d)“Panel” means the Green Ribbon Science Panel established pursuant to Section 25254.

(e)“Consumer product” means a product or part of the product that is used, brought, or leased for use by a person for any purposes. “Consumer product” does not include any of the following:

(1)A dangerous drug or dangerous device as defined in Section 4022 of the Business of Professions Code.

(2)Dental restorative materials as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1648.20 of the Business and Professions Code.

(3)A device as defined in Section 4023 of the Business of Professions Code.

(4)A food as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 109935.

(5)The packaging associated with any of the items specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).

(6)A pesticide as defined in Section 12753 of the Food and Agricultural Code or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide (7 United States Code Sections 136 and following).

(f)This section shall become effective on January 1, 2012.

SEC. 3.

 Section 25252 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25252.

(a)On or before January 1, 2011, the department shall adopt regulations to establish a process to identify and prioritize those chemicals or chemical ingredients in consumer products that may be considered as being a chemical of concern, in accordance with the review process specified in Section 25252.5. The department shall adopt these regulations in consultation with the office and all appropriate state agencies and after conducting one or more public workshops for which the department provides public notice and provides an opportunity for all interested parties to comment. The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall establish an identification and prioritization process that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following considerations:

(1)The volume of the chemical in commerce in this state.

(2)The potential for exposure to the chemical in a consumer product.

(3)Potential effects on sensitive subpopulations, including infants and children.

(b)(1)In adopting regulations pursuant to this section, the department shall develop criteria by which chemicals and their alternatives may be evaluated. These criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the traits, characteristics, and endpoints that are included in the clearinghouse data pursuant to Section 25256.1.

(2)In adopting regulations pursuant to this section, the department shall reference and use, to the maximum extent feasible, available information from other nations, governments, and authoritative bodies that have undertaken similar chemical prioritization processes, so as to leverage the work and costs already incurred by those entities and to minimize costs and maximize benefits for the state’s economy.

(3)Paragraph (2) does not require the department, when adopting regulations pursuant to this section, to reference and use only the available information specified in paragraph (2).

SEC. 4.

 Section 25252.5 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25252.5.

(a)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the department, in adopting the regulations pursuant to Sections 25252 and 25253, shall prepare a multimedia life cycle evaluation conducted by affected agencies and coordinated by the department, and shall submit the regulations and the multimedia life cycle evaluation to the council for review.

(b)The multimedia evaluation shall be based on the best available scientific data, written comments submitted by interested persons, and information collected by the department in preparation for adopting the regulations, and shall address, but is not limited to, the impacts associated with all the following:

(1)Emissions of air pollutants, including ozone forming compounds, particulate matter, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gases.

(2)Contamination of surface water, groundwater, and soil.

(3)Disposal or use of the byproducts and waste materials.

(4)Worker safety and impacts to public health.

(5)Other anticipated impacts to the environment.

(c)The council shall complete its review of the multimedia evaluation within 90 calendar days following notice from the department that it intends to adopt regulations. If the council determines that the proposed regulations will cause a significant adverse impact on the public health or the environment, or that alternatives exist that would be less adverse, the council shall recommend alternative measures that the department or other state agencies may take to reduce the adverse impact on public health or the environment. The council shall make all information relating to its review available to the public.

(d)Within 60 days of receiving notification from the council of a determination of significant adverse impact, the department shall adopt revisions to the proposed regulation to avoid or reduce the adverse impact, or the affected agencies shall take appropriate action that will, to the extent feasible, mitigate the adverse impact so that, on balance, there is no significant adverse impact on public health or the environment.

(e)In coordinating a multimedia evaluation pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall consult with other boards and departments within the California Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department of Public Health, the State and Consumer Services Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Industrial Relations, and other state agencies with responsibility for, or expertise regarding, impacts that could result from the production, use, or disposal of consumer products and the ingredients they may contain.

(f)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the department may adopt regulations pursuant to Sections 25252 and 25253 without subjecting the proposed regulation to a multimedia evaluation if the council, following an initial evaluation of the proposed regulation, conclusively determines that the regulation will not have any significant adverse impact on public health or the environment.

(g)For the purposes of this section, “multimedia life cycle evaluation” means the identification and evaluation of a significant adverse impact on public health or the environment, including air, water, or soil, that may result from the production, use, or disposal of a consumer product or consumer product ingredient.

SEC. 5.

 Section 25253 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25253.

(a)(1)On or before January 1, 2011, the department shall adopt regulations pursuant to this section that establish a process for evaluating chemicals of concern in consumer products, and their potential alternatives, to determine how best to limit exposure or to reduce the level of hazard posed by a chemical of concern, in accordance with the review process specified in Section 25252.5. The department shall adopt these regulations in consultation with all appropriate state agencies and after conducting one or more public workshops for which the department provides public notice and provides an opportunity for all interested parties to comment.

(2)The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall establish a process that includes an evaluation of the availability of potential alternatives and potential hazards posed by those alternatives, as well as an evaluation of critical exposure pathways. This process shall include life cycle assessment tools that take into consideration, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:

(A)Product function or performance.

(B)Useful life.

(C)Materials and resource consumption.

(D)Water conservation.

(E)Water quality impacts.

(F)Air emissions.

(G)Production, in-use, and transportation energy inputs.

(H)Energy efficiency.

(I)Greenhouse gas emissions.

(J)Waste and end-of-life disposal.

(K)Public health impacts, including potential impacts to sensitive subpopulations, including infants and children.

(L)Environmental impacts.

(M)Economic impacts.

(b)The regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall specify the range of regulatory responses that the department may take following the completion of the alternatives analysis, including, but not limited to, any of the following actions:

(1)Not requiring any action.

(2)Imposing requirements to provide additional information needed to assess a chemical of concern and its potential alternatives.

(3)Imposing requirements on the labeling or other type of consumer product information.

(4)Imposing a restriction on the use of the chemical of concern in the consumer product.

(5)Prohibiting the use of the chemical of concern in the consumer product.

(6) Imposing requirements that control access to or limit exposure to the chemical of concern in the consumer product.

(7)Imposing requirements for the manufacturer to manage the product at the end of its useful life, including recycling or responsible disposal of the consumer product.

(8)Imposing a requirement to fund green chemistry challenge grants where no feasible safer alternative exists.

(9)Any other outcome the department determines accomplishes the requirements of this article.

(c)The department, in developing the processes and regulations pursuant to this section, shall ensure that the tools available are in a form that allows for ease of use and transparency of application. The department shall also make every feasible effort to devise simplified and accessible tools that consumer product manufacturers, consumer product distributors, product retailers, and consumers can use to make consumer product manufacturing, sales, and purchase decisions.

SEC. 6.

 Section 25253.5 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25253.5.

The department shall revise its 2015–17 Priority Product Work Plan to include lead acid batteries for consideration and evaluation as a potential priority product.

SEC. 7.

 Section 25254 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25254.

(a)In implementing this article, the department shall establish a Green Ribbon Science Panel. The panel shall be composed of members whose expertise shall encompass all of the following disciplines:

(1)Chemistry.

(2)Chemical engineering.

(3)Environmental law.

(4)Toxicology.

(5)Public policy.

(6)Pollution prevention.

(7)Cleaner production methods.

(8)Environmental health.

(9)Public health.

(10)Risk analysis.

(11)Materials science.

(12)Nanotechnology.

(13)Chemical synthesis.

(14)Research.

(15)Maternal and child health.

(b)The department shall appoint all members to the panel on or before July 1, 2009. The department shall appoint the members for staggered three-year terms, and may reappoint a member for additional terms, without limitation.

(c)The panel shall meet as often as the department deems necessary, with consideration of available resources, but not less than twice each year. The department shall provide for staff and administrative support to the panel.

(d)The panel meetings shall be open to the public and are subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

SEC. 8.

 Section 25255 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25255.

The panel may take any of the following actions:

(a)Advise the department and the council on scientific and technical matters in support of the goals of this article of significantly reducing adverse health and environmental impacts of chemicals used in commerce, as well as the overall costs of those impacts to the state’s society, by encouraging the redesign of consumer products, manufacturing processes, and approaches.

(b)Assist the department in developing green chemistry and chemicals policy recommendations and implementation strategies and details, and ensure these recommendations are based on a strong scientific foundation.

(c)Advise the department and make recommendations for chemicals the panel views as priorities for which hazard traits and toxicological end-point data should be collected.

(d)Advise the department in the adoption of regulations required by this article.

(e)Advise the department on any other pertinent matter in implementing this article, as determined by the department.

SEC. 9.

 Section 25257.1 of the Health and Safety Code is repealed.

25257.1.

(a)This article does not limit and shall not be construed to limit the department’s or any other department’s or agency’s existing authority over hazardous materials.

(b)This article does not authorize the department to supersede the regulatory authority of any other department or agency.

(c)The department shall not duplicate or adopt conflicting regulations for product categories already regulated or subject to pending regulation consistent with the purposes of this article.

SEC. 10.

 Section 25257.2 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

25257.2.

 (a) The department shall, by January 1, 2018, publish guidelines for healthy nail salon recognition (HNSR) programs voluntarily implemented by local cities and counties.

(b) The guidelines for an HNSR program adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) may include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) A list of specific chemical ingredients that should not be used by a nail salon seeking recognition. In determining whether to include a chemical on the list, the department shall consider:

(A) Whether the chemical is identified as a candidate chemical pursuant to the regulations adopted pursuant to the former Section 25252.

(B) Whether an existing healthy nail salon program has restricted the use of the chemical.

(C) The potential for exposure of nail salon workers and customers to the chemical.

(D) The availability of existing, safer alternatives to the chemical in products available to nail salons in California.

(2) Specific best practices for minimizing exposure to hazardous chemicals, including:

(A) A list of specific personal protective equipment that should be used by personnel in a salon seeking recognition and guidance on when and how to use it.

(B) Engineering controls that should be adopted by salons seeking recognition, including specific ventilation practices and equipment.

(C) Prohibiting nail polishes that contain dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, or toluene.

(D) Prohibiting nail polish thinners that contain methyl ethyl ketone or toluene.

(E) Prohibiting nail polish removers that contain ethyl or butyl acetate.

(3) A list of specific training topics for salon owners and staff, whether on payroll or contract, on safer practices delineated in the HNSR program guidelines.

(4) Criteria for the use of outside products brought in by clients.

(5) Verification that a salon seeking recognition is in compliance with Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 7301) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, and all applicable regulations enforced by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

(6) Any other guidelines or best practices determined by the department to further the goals of an HNSR program.

(c) The guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include criteria for cities and counties that adopt an HNSR program. These criteria may cover, but are not limited to:

(1) Coordination with other local HNSR programs to assist businesses in achieving and moving beyond regulatory compliance.

(2) Training and certification requirements for the salon owners and staff to ensure thorough knowledge of safe and environmentally friendly procedures.

(3) Issuance of an approved seal or certificate to salons that have met certification requirements.

(4) The process by which a salon can enroll in an HNSR program and be verified by the local entity.

(5) The frequency at which the local entity shall verify continued compliance by a salon that has previously met all specified requirements.

(d) In developing guidelines pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall consult with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

(e) In collaboration with existing healthy nail salon programs, the department shall promote the HNSR guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) by doing all of the following:

(1) Developing and implementing a consumer education program.

(2) Presenting the HNSR guidelines to local health officers, local environmental health departments, and other local agencies as appropriate.

(3) Developing and either distributing or posting on its Internet Web site information for local entities, including, but not limited to, suggestions for successful implementation of HNSR programs and resource lists that include names and contact information of vendors, consultants, or providers of financial assistance or loans for purchases of ventilation equipment.

(4) Developing an Internet Web site or a section on the department’s Internet Web site that links to county HNSR Internet Web sites.

(f) The department may prioritize its outreach to those counties that have the greatest number of nail salons.

(g) The State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology may notify the city, county, or city and county if a recognized salon is found in violation of Article 12 (commencing with Section 977) of Division 9 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations. A violation shall result in the removal of healthy nail salon recognition from that salon.

(h) This section does not prevent the adoption or enforcement of any local rules or ordinances.

SEC. 11.

 Section 108940 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

108940.

 (a) On and after July 1, 2013, no person shall manufacture, sell, or distribute in commerce any bottle or cup that contains bisphenol A, at a detectable level above 0.1 parts per billion (ppb), if the bottle or cup is designed or intended to be filled with any liquid, food, or beverage intended primarily for consumption from that bottle or cup by children three years of age or younger.

(b) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to medical devices, as defined in Section 109920, or to food and beverage containers designed or intended primarily to contain liquid, food, or beverages for consumption by the general population.

(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if the Department of Toxic Substances Control adopts a regulatory response described in Section 25253 regarding the use of bisphenol A in a product that is prohibited by this section, the prohibition of this section shall not apply to that product upon the date that the department posts a notice on its Internet Web site that it has adopted the response.

(d)Notwithstanding subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 25257.1, this section shall not be construed to prohibit or restrict the authority of the Department of Toxic Substances Control to prioritize or take action on any products containing bisphenol A in order to limit exposure to or reduce the level of hazard posed by bisphenol A.