A Communication Strategy To Limit the Use of Flame Retardants, PFAS, and other Chemicals Classes of Concern

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Joshua McDowell
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1 A Communication Strategy To Limit the Use of Flame Retardants, PFAS, and other Chemicals Classes of Concern Arlene Blum PhD Research Associate in Chemistry, UC Berkeley & Green Science Policy Institute Tom Bruton PhD Green Science Policy Institute November 7, 2018

2 Education Research Policy & Purchasing Change Retreats

3 Six Classes Four-Minute Videos VIEW:

4 Is it necessary? Is it worth it? Is there a safer alternative? GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE

5 Class 1: Highly Fluorinated Chemicals PFOA or C8 (C8) Carbon-Fluorine bond strength: Leads to oil and water repellency Forever chemicals -- last for geologic time! Courtesy: Dr. Jennifer Field

6 Highly Fluorinated Chemicals (PFAS): Scientific Paper +Communication= Impact 1.Madrid Statement Paper 2.Source of PFAS in Drinking Water Paper 3.PFAS Fast Food Paper Michael Wilson, Green Chemistry in California: GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE GreenSciencePolicy.org

1. May 1, 2015 The Madrid Statement on Highly Fluorinated Chemicals flickr @ Marc We call on the international community to cooperate in limiting the

7 1. May 1, 2015 The Madrid Statement on Highly Fluorinated Chemicals Marc We call on the international community to cooperate in limiting the production and use of PFASs and in developing safer non-fluorinated alternatives. Signed by 230 scientists from 40 countries 2015: Environmental Health Perspectives

8 May 1, 2015 August 11, 2015 June 4, 2015 January 6, 2016

9 January 14, 2016 May 15, 2016 EPA Sets Lifetime Health Advisory Level: 70 ng/l PFOA + PFOS

10 2. August 9, 2015 PFASs in U.S. Drinking Water Linked to Industrial Sites, Military Fire Training Areas, & Wastewater Treatment Plants GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE Hu et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2016

11 FAA Reauthorization: Commercial airports can use fluorine-free foams Passed House 393 to 13, April 27 Passed Senate 93 to 6, October 3 Signed, Oct. 5, 2018 GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE 10

12 3. February 1, 2017 Fluorinated Compounds in U.S. fast food packaging (percent positive; 400 products sampled) Adopted from Schaider L. 2017

Green Science Policy Communications Strategy Select research topic to support policy in public interest. Collaborate with expert authors at multiple institutions. Publish open access.

14 Green Science Policy Communications Strategy Select research topic to support policy in public interest. Collaborate with expert authors at multiple institutions. Publish open access. After acceptance, select a publication date for maximum impact (Two weeks or more in the future). Compose release in accessible language with a hook. Query journalists & then share embargoed press release & paper. Educate journalists & establish relationships. Hope it is not a big news day. Utilize paper to affect change. A Never Ending Story of PFASs Wang, et al. ES&T 2017, 2017 ACS

15 Communications strategy for peer-reviewed articles. Flame retardants in baby products Study Journal Year Downloads * Score * Altmetric ES&T , Novel and High Volume Flame Retardants in Couches ES&T , Highly fluorinated chemicals in U.S. drinking water ES&T Letters ,031 1,439 #2 for ES&T Letters Highly fluorinated chemicals in fast food ES&T Letters , #3 for ES&T Letters Scientists letter on PFAS in drinking water Env. Health , * As of Oct 31, 2018

16 Flame Retardants: Scientific Paper +Communication= Impact 1. Flame Retardants as Possible Cancer Hazards 2. San Antonio Statement Paper 3. Flame Retardants in Baby Products Paper 4. Flame Retardants in Couches Paper Michael Wilson, Green Chemistry in California: GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE GreenSciencePolicy.org

17 1. Brominated Tris Flame Retardant In children s sleepwear 1975 to 1977 Up to 10% of the weight of fabric In children s urine Mutagen and possible carcinogen

18 1 Science, January 7, 1977

19 TRIS-Treated Children's Garments Banned April 7, 1977 Chlorinated Tris replaced Brominated Tris Removed from pajamas in 1978 Used in furniture until 2012

20 2. San Antonio Statement on Brominated and Chlorinated Flame Retardants Signed by over 200 scientist's from 30 countries Documents health and environmental harm and lack of proven fire safety benefit 2010: Environmental Health Perspectives

21 3. Top Paper of 2011 GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE greensciencepolicy.org

22 4. Couch Paper of 2012 GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE greensciencepolicy.org

23 Google Pulitzer Prize Finalist Goldsmith Prize Investigative Reporting Environmental Journalists Society Environmental Reporting Gerald Loeb Award Business and Financial Journalism National Press Club Consumer Award 23

California Flammability Standards TB117-2013 Mandatory January 1, 2015 Flame retardants not needed, but can still be used

24 California Flammability Standards TB Mandatory January 1, 2015 Flame retardants not needed, but can still be used Product Labels Required GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE

25 NO Flame Retardants

26 PETITION HP 15-1 to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Regarding Products Containing Organohalogen FRs Declare as banned hazardous substances any: Children s products Residential furniture Mattresses & mattress pads Plastic electronics enclosures containing additive, non-polymeric organohalogen FRs

27 The Flame Retardant Dilemma & Beyond Government, industry, academics, non-profits and citizens discuss reducing toxics to protect health. February 15, 2018 at UC Berkeley

28 By communicating about the Six Classes We can have a healthier world.

29 Six Classes Videos An innovative approach to reducing toxics VIEW and SHARE: Healthier products, healthier people in four minutes!