Reducing the Use of Carcinogens in Workplaces. Ken Geiser, PhD Lowell Center for Sustainable Production University of Massachusetts Lowell

Transcription

1 Reducing the Use of Carcinogens in Workplaces Ken Geiser, PhD Lowell Center for Sustainable Production University of Massachusetts Lowell March, 2012

2 What We Know: IARC Evaluations Grp 1:Carcinogenic: 107 Grp 2A: Probably: 58 Grp 2B: Possibly: 249 Not classifiable: 512 Probably not : 1 ~40% industrial carcinogens Total Reviewed 926 International Agency for Research on Cancer.

3 Cancers with Links to Occupational and Environmental Exposures

4 What We Don t Know Registered chemicals on the U.S. market: ~85,000 ~2,500 high production volume Chemicals tested for long-term carcinogenicity by National Toxicology Program: ~600 Are there more carcinogen out there?

5 How to Respond Treatment American Cancer Society Pour money into research Find the Cure Regulation OSHA 13 Carcinogens Standard 1980 U.S. Supreme Court Benzene Decision Prevention Tobacco-Free Kids Campaign Eliminate the exposure

6 U.S. President s Cancer Panel The true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated. Urged the President to: Use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase healthcare costs, cripple our nation s productivity and devastate American lives.

7 U.S. President s Cancer Panel Green chemistry initiatives and research, including process redesign, should be pursued and supported more aggressively

8 Toxics Use Reduction Government programs for reducing the use of toxic and hazardous chemicals in industrial production through planning, reporting and technical assistance Part of a wave of U.S. state pollution prevention and waste reduction statutes Some 7 states have elements of the TUR language including Maine, Oregon, Minnesota, New Jersey

9 Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction (TURA) 1989 Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to enact a Toxics Use Reduction Law Goals of the Massachusetts Law Achieve 50% reduction in byproduct (waste) by 1998 Establish toxics use reduction as the preferred means of compliance Promote the competitive advantage of Massachusetts Industry Reduce the production and use of toxic chemicals The program has focused on some 190 chemicals and involved over 1000 firms

10 Techniques of Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) DIRECT Chemical Input Substitution Product Redesign INDIRECT Process Modification Operations and Maintenance Improvements In-Process Recycling

11 Industry Responsibilities under TURA Any firm manufacturing, processing or using any of 1200 toxic chemicals over a given threshold must: report annually to the State on the amount of use and waste generated prepare and biannually update a plan to reduce or eliminate the chemicals pay an annual fee

12 Government Responsibilities under TURA Department of Environmental Protection Assure corporate compliance Collect fees Office of Technical Assistance Provide workshops and on-site technical services Toxics Use Reduction Institute Train TUR planners Conduct research and lab testing Provide library and information services Provide community programs

13 Annual TUR Reporting Annual reports currently about 550 facilities Each facility reports on: - total toxic chemical use - total toxic byproduct (waste) generated - total toxic chemicals generated in or as products - economic activity index Data is installed on the Internet at

14 Bi-Annual TUR Facility Planning First plans due in 1994 Plans updated every two years Plans are kept on-site, but must be available for state inspection All plans must be certified by a licensed TUR Planner Plan Summaries are released to the public every other year

15 Millions of Pounds Millions of Pounds Results of the TURA Program Significant reduction in toxic chemical use, waste and emissions Firms improved efficiencies and saved money Total Use 41% Byproduct 65% Year Total use - 40% Byproduct -71% Year Non-trade secret reported data

16 TURA Impacts on Carcinogens Carcinogens covered by TURA arsenic benzene butadiene cadmium chromium VI dioxin ethylene oxide formaldehyde nickel perchloroethylene trichloroethylene crystalline silica 2000 Analysis for 41 Carcinogens 18% reduction in use 44% reduction in byproduct (waste) 65% reduction in release

17 Pouunds Used Pounds Results for Carcinogens ( ) Total Use of Carcinogens has declined by 74% Total Carcinogens in the Waste Stream (Byproduct) has declined by 63% Total Release of Carcinogens has declined by 93% IARC 1 Total Use IARC 1 Byproduct 25,000,000 2,500,000 20,000,000 2,000,000 15,000,000 1,500,000 10,000,000 1,000,000 5,000, , Year Year Non-trade secret reported data

18 TURA Impacts on Carcinogens Current Analysis ( data) Use By-product Release Formaldehyde -64% -19% -67% Perchloroethylene -79% -97% -96% Arsenic Compounds -100% -100% -100% Trichloroethylene -79% -90% -96% Methylene Chloride -43% -83% -98% Non-trade secret reported data

19 Pounds Pounds Example: Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is used as a finisher for some textiles and mixed with urea or phenol to form adhesives used in construction materials Formaldehyde is an allergen and a recognized human carcinogen (IARC 1A) Formaldehyde Use Formaldehyde Byproduct 14,000, ,000, ,000, ,000, ,000, ,000, ,000, Year , , , , , , , Year Non-trade secret reported data

20 Alternatives to Formaldehyde Task: As part of TURI s Five Chemical Alternatives Assessment, to identify safer alternatives to formaldehyde use As a disinfectant in hair salons boiling water, denatured alcohol, ultraviolet light As a preservative for biological specimens in school laboratories Formalternate, Wardsafe, Streck Tissue Fixative dry specimens video/virtual dissections

21 Alternatives to Formaldehyde in Wood Building Panels Polyvinyl acetate glues (Elmers ) Soy-based resins (Kymene, PureBond ) Homasote recycled paper-based panels Viroc wood-cement composite board

22 Pounds Pounds Example: Perchloroethylene Perchloroethylene (Perc) is a common solvent used in drycleaning Perc is a neuro-toxin and probable human carcinogen (IARC 2A) Perchloroethylene Use Perchloroethylene Byproduct 2,500,000 1,000,000 2,000, ,000 1,500, ,000 1,000, , , , Year Year Non-trade secret reported data

23 Eliminating Perc in Drycleaning Strategy One: included drycleaners, regulators The solution was to recycle the Perc --reduced, but did not eliminate Perc Strategy Two: included chemical distributors The solution was to substitute Perc with other solvents --eliminated Perc, but raised new hazards for workers Strategy Three: includes workers, customers, alternative technology vendors The solution is now Wet Cleaning, cleaning with stain site spotting and warm water --eliminates Perc

24 Wet Cleaning Washers Wet cleaning adds to green branding, reduces worker and customer exposures, increases workers skills, and reduces energy consumption

25 Alternatives to Carcinogens in Cleaning Solvents TURI maintains CleanerSolutions, a fieldaccessible, searchable data base on health, safety and performance characteristics of 1200 surface cleaning products Cleaner are assessed for Ability to remove the contaminants Compatibility with the surfaces to be cleaned Compatibility with equipment that will be used Safety for the workers and the environment

26 TURI CleanerSolutions Database

27 TURI TURN Grant Program Competitive Community Grants Program Awards 6-8 $8,000 to $5,000 per year Reducing lead use in recreational fishing Reducing toxic chemicals use in nail salons Introducing substitutes to pesticide use in public housing Reducing toxic supplies in school purchasing Providing safe chemical guides in Spanish, Portuguese, and Vietnamese Leads to Annual State House Awards Ceremony

28 Further Steps States enact Kids-Safe Chemical Policies Washington Maine Minnesota California enacts a Safe Consumer Products Act State identifies 3000 chemicals of high concern State identifies 2-5 products of concern per year Manufacturers must prepare Alternatives Assessments State establishes Regulatory Responses

29 Lessons There are many safer alternatives to carcinogens used in industrial production and products Well tailored government programs can promote a transition away from carcinogens and towards safer substitutes It is important to focus on chemical use, clear regulations and well-funded technical assistance There is much value in involving workers and community citizens For more information see