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Precautionary Principle Working Group
CHE-WA NAHMMA's 2005 Conference September 18-23, 2005 Tacoma, Washington Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT LINK Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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CHE-WA – PP working group
More Information on Precautionary Principle See: smdose Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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NW Public Health Public Health and the Precautionary Principle
By Steven G. Gilbert See: nwph Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Child Health Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Developmental Data 2863 above 1 Million pounds 12 or 0.4% good data
21.4% some data 78.2% no data Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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The Consequences 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 Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Precautionary Principle
“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, 1998. Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Safety & Efficacy vs Harm
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) Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Wingspread Conference, 1998.
Central components 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, 1998. Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Seattle PP working group
Seattle Initiative 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 Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Result of Effort Seattle Precautionary Principle White Paper ( Inclusion of PP in Comp Plan Environment Element ( Link Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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WSPHA Resolution “Protecting Public Health by Adopting the Precautionary Principle as an Approach to Decision Making” Resolution Submitted to Washington State Public Health Association Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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States in the US 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.” Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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US Government Effort Update the Toxic Substances Control Act
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 Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Canada and PP Pollution Prevention Strategy
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, …..” Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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REACH-European Union 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 2001. A Precautionary approach Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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REACH 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. Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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PP Next Steps 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 Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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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 Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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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 , 2005. Public Health and the Precautionary Principle. Steven G. Gilbert. NW Public Health, Spring
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Precautionary Principle Working Group
Questions or Comments? Download Presentation from Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Authorship Information
This presentation is supplement to “A Small Dose of Toxicology” For Additional Information Contact Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT Web:
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Socially Responsible Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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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) Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Values of the precautionary principle
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. Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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Purpose/Objectives Improve decision making
Promote integrated assessments Promote transparency Promote sharing of information Examine alternatives Examine uncertainties Encourage discussion among stake holders Collaborative on Health and the Environment
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