1 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Precautionary Principle Working Group NAHMMA's 2005 Conference September 18-23, 2005 Tacoma, Washington Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT LINKLINK CHE-WA

2 Collaborative on Health and the Environment CHE-WA – PP working group More Information on Precautionary Principle See: -- smdosesmdose CHE-WA – PP working group

3 Collaborative on Health and the Environment NW Public Health See: nwph Public Health and the Precautionary Principle By Steven G. Gilbert

4 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Child Health

5 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Developmental Data 2863 above 1 Million pounds 78.2% no data 21.4% some data 12 or 0.4% good data

6 Collaborative on Health and the Environment  Nearly 12 million children (17%) under age 18 in the US suffer from one or more developmental disabilities  Learning disabilities – 5-10% of kids in public school  ADHD – 3-6% of all school kids, maybe higher The Consequences

7 Collaborative on Health and the Environment “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be take even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” Wingspread Conference, Precautionary Principle

8 Collaborative on Health and the Environment  FDA regulations of Drugs (1938)  FDA regulations of Dietary Supplements (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA))  Ephedra present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury (Dec, 2003) Safety & Efficacy vs Harm

9 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty Shifting the burden of proof/responsibility to the proponents of an activity Exploring a wide range of alternatives to possibly harmful actions Increasing public participation in decision making (environmental justice) Wingspread Conference, Central components

10 Collaborative on Health and the Environment City Comprehensive Plans Every citizen of Seattle has an equal right to a healthy and safe environment. Seattle sees the Precautionary Principle approach as its policy framework to develop laws for a healthier and more just Seattle. Seattle PP working group Seattle Initiative

11 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Seattle Precautionary Principle White Paper ( Inclusion of PP in Comp Plan Environment Element ( mprehensive_Plan/DPD_ asp) LinkLink Result of Effort

12 Collaborative on Health and the Environment “Protecting Public Health by Adopting the Precautionary Principle as an Approach to Decision Making” Resolution Submitted to Washington State Public Health Association WSPHA Resolution

13 Collaborative on Health and the Environment  California San Francisco Precautionary Purchasing Ordinance - June 2005 Resolution of the Marin county board of supervisors “A resolution to continue to incorporate the precautionary principle in county operations.” Oct 2004  Oregon Multnomah County, OR Resolution - September 2004  New York State Legislation - April 2005  Bill A07256 “To protect public health and the environment by establishing a precautionary policy for state and local governments in New York State.”  Bill A07257 “To establish a preference for the purchase of commodities, services, and technologies by the State of New York that minimize potential adverse impacts on public health and the environment.” States in the US

14 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Kids-Safe Chemicals Act of 2005 U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg  Update the Toxic Substances Control Act  Toxic chemicals must be tested  Focus on Prevention US Government Effort

15 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Agreement Respecting Canada-wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans: Steel Manufacturing Electric Arc Furnaces Pollution Prevention Strategy “In keeping with the Precautionary Principle as set out as guidance in the Canada-wide Standards Sub-agreement, and in consideration of the CWS principles of sound science, technical feasibility and socio-economic impacts, …..” Canada and PP

16 Collaborative on Health and the Environment REACH -- Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals  The two most important aims are to improve protection of human health and the environment from the hazards of chemicals and enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.  The Commission’s White Paper on the Strategy for a future Chemicals Policy was adopted in on 13 February  A Precautionary approach REACH-European Union

17 Collaborative on Health and the Environment REACH -- Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals  Initially regulate High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals - produced or imported above 1,000 metric tons.  Total world wide production of chemicals 400 million metric tons per year or $1.6 Trillion  To be introduced into European Parliament late this year. REACH

18 Collaborative on Health and the Environment  WA State – Resolution at WA State Public Health Association  WA State - expand recognition of PP at City, State, and County Level  Gain National recognition for a precautionary approach in decision making regarding human and environmental health PP Next Steps

19 Collaborative on Health and the Environment How You Can Get Involved  Join National CHE -  CHE-NW/CHE-WA coordinator: Elise Miller, MEd, Executive Director Institute for Children’s Environmental Health  PP Working Group: Steven G. Gilbert, PhD

20 Additional Information  The Science and Environmental Health Network (SEHN) (  Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle – European Environment Agency (free)  Garrett Hardin - The Tragedy of the Commons (Science, 1968)  Ethical, legal, and social issues: our children's future. Steven G. Gilbert. Neurotoxicology, 26/4 pp ,  Public Health and the Precautionary Principle. Steven G. Gilbert. NW Public Health, Spring

21 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Precautionary Principle Working Group Questions or Comments? Download Presentation from

22 Authorship Information For Additional Information Contact Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT Web: This presentation is supplement to “A Small Dose of Toxicology”

23 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Socially Responsible

24 Collaborative on Health and the Environment Doubt / Uncertainty "Doubt is our product since it is the best means of competing with the 'body of fact' that exists in the mind of the general public.“ 1969 an executive at Brown & Williamson owned by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (Doubt Is Their Product by David Michaels in Scientific American, June 15, 2005)

25 Collaborative on Health and the Environment 1) Respect - for the needs and rights of this and future generations as well as others who cannot speak for themselves 2) Humility - towards the natural world and our ability to understand it through science 3) Democracy - giving people a voice in matters that affect their lives 4) Responsibility - government’s public trust responsibility to manage the commonwealth for this and future generations. - Individuals’ including industry, obligation to take responsibility for their actions in the world. Values of the precautionary principle

26 Collaborative on Health and the Environment  Improve decision making  Promote integrated assessments  Promote transparency  Promote sharing of information  Examine alternatives  Examine uncertainties  Encourage discussion among stake holders Purpose/Objectives