Who’s in Charge of Environmental Health? Barbara Sattler, RN, DrPH, FAAN University of Maryland School of Nursing Environmental Health Education Center

The Health of the Environment – Ecological Health The Health of Humans vis a vis Environmental Exposures What gets lost in the schism?

Government Structure National –EPA national and regional State –Departments of Environmental Quality Local –Health Dept  Environmental Division –City/County Environmental Departments

Who’s in charge of chemical policies? Environmental – air, water, toxic chemicals (pesticides) - EPA Food – FDA and Dept of Agriculture Transportation of hazardous materials – DOT Lead-based paint, radon, carbon monoxide in homes – federal, state, and local policies Workplace exposures – OSHA

Governmental Chemical Policies Statutes Regulations Standards Permits / Zoning Voluntary programs

Non-governmental policy opportunities Hospital examples: Institutional / Company policies (Kaiser Permanente’s new chemical policies / food policies) Collective bargaining / Contract language JCAHO Practice GreenHealth / Green Guidelines for Health Care LEED standards

Industrial Hygiene Hierarchy of Controls for Workplace Exposures Substitution Isolation Engineering Controls Administrative Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Critical elements of good chemical policies Substitution (elimination) Full disclosure – “Right to Know”  Labeling  Access to research information  No trade secrets for hazardous chemicals Independent research and/or oversight Restricted-use policies (bans) Fast-track policies when there is new H&S data

Recent/Current Events in the Chemical Policy World Europe (REACH – Registration, Evaluation, and Evaluation of Chemicals) Kids Safe Chemical Act The Louisville Charter Recent history: State/local initiatives – Prop 65, mercury elimination, precautionary principle, organic foods in schools, BPA