Chemical Reform Policy

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The policy that I focused on is the Background Paper #4: Act on Early Warnings. 

I focused on this policy because I believe it is really important. The basis of this policy is to act when there is credible evidence of harm even when there is some uncertainty. Too often harmful chemicals are used and not outlawed because the process of providing sufficient evidence to prove they are harmful takes too long. I believe we should take an opposite approach, instead of waiting to find out if a chemical is harmful we should have to prove the chemical isn't harmful. This policy does not go that far but once it is believed that a chemical could cause any harm it aims to have that chemical removed. The reason this is so important is because chemicals and can stay years in the environment and still show up in humans. For example, there is still some DDT found in humans even though it was outlawed a long time ago. This policy will help less people be exposed instead of potentially hurting more people because the bureaucracy is taking too long.   

Comments

  1. Jordan DemosOctober 20, 2018 at 6:09 PM

    Caitlin,

    I agree with you that focusing on early warnings is very important. I like your idea about assuming a chemical is harmful, and having to prove that it isn't before using it. This would completely eliminate use of harmful chemicals.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 21, 2018 at 11:47 PM

    Hi Caitlin,

    I think this is an extremely important policy, and agree that by catching it before it's put out into use it would help prevent the accumulation of chemicals in the environment. Europe already has systems in place that ensure any that are used pass certain standards. I can't believe we do not have something like this in place already.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 6, 2018 at 9:33 AM

    I agree with you that this is a very important policy. But I wonder if we have the resources and man and fund power to tackle every chemical as harmful. By doing that, are we taking resources from more serious works. I think it would be important that we first have budget and resources to have a policy that wide.

    ReplyDelete

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