[CPEO-BIF] AB 990 proposes to phase out TCE from California consumer products

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

The presence of volatile organic contaminants in consumer products has
been an issue here in Mountain VIew, because such products - for
example, plastic cement containing trichloroethylene - have interfered
with vapor intrusion sampling. In addition, a growing number of
residents want ALL sources of such dangerous chemicals removed from the environment.

California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) has proposed a
step in that direction with Assembly Bill 990, "Chemical Substitution,"
which would require the phase-out from consumer products of four common
chemicals "known to the State of California to cause cancer or
reproductive toxicity." Here is the heart of Lieber's bill:

"(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), no person may use, sell,
supply, or offer for sale methylene chloride, perchloroethylene,
trichloroethylene, or 1-bromopropane, including their use in consumer
products, on or after January 1, 2007.

"(b) Methylene chloride, perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene may be
used, sold, supplied, or offered for sale until the date specified, if
applicable, for the following applications:
   (1) Until January 1, 2010: solvent cleaning or vapor degreasing with
an airless/air-tight cleaning system.
   (2) Until January 1, 2010: energized electrical equipment cleaning.
   (3) Until January 1, 2010: motion picture film cleaning.
   (4) Until January 1, 2008: paint removal or stripping.
   (5) Dry cleaning operations."

Lieber's legislation may be found at 
http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0951-1000/ab_990_bill_20050404_amended_asm.html

LS
-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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