April 9, 2009
Two from UC Berkeley School of Public Health Appointed to New Green Ribbon Science Panel for California's Green Chemistry Program
Two researchers from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health— Megan Schwarzman, M.D., M.P.H. '07, and Michael P. Wilson, Ph.D. '03, M.P.H. '98—have been selected by Cal/EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to serve on the state's new Green Ribbon Science Panel. The 27-member panel is an advisory group created for California's Green Chemistry program, an innovative approach to removing or reducing toxic chemicals in products sold in California.
The Green Ribbon Science Panel was established with passage of two landmark Green Chemistry laws signed last year by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (AB 1879 - Feuer and SB 509 - Simitian). The panel will provide advice and act as a resource to DTSC and the California Environmental Policy Council pursuant to AB 1879, which directs the Department to develop regulations that: (1) create analytical methods for safer chemical alternatives, and (2) identify and prioritize chemicals of concern. Panel members will serve staggered three-year terms and may be reappointed with no limitations.
Both Schwarzman and Wilson are research scientists at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. Schwarzman is a coauthor of the 2008 report to Cal/EPA, Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California. Wilson is the chief author of a 2006 UC report commissioned by the California Legislature, Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation.
"I am pleased to make today's announcement and trust that the distinguished panelists will soundly advise on development of the state's Green Chemistry regulations," said DTSC acting director Maziar Movassaghi. Since the Green Chemistry Initiative was launched in 2007, the department has been honored to work on this exciting endeavor to bring safer, less toxic products into the marketplace. With our green chemistry efforts, California continues to be on the forefront of creating environmental policies with far-reaching global impacts."
Panel duties include:
- Advising DTSC and the Council on scientific and technical matters in support of significantly reducing adverse health and environmental impacts of chemicals used in commerce, as well as the overall costs of those impacts to the state's society;
- Advising DTSC on the development green chemistry and chemicals policy recommendations and implementation strategies and details, and ensuring these recommendations are based on a strong scientific foundation;
- Advising DTSC and making recommendations for chemicals the panel views as priorities for which hazard traits and toxicological end-point data should be collected;
- Advising DTSC in the adoption of green chemistry regulations; and
- Advising DTSC on any other pertinent matter in implementing AB 1879, as determined by DTSC
For more information on the California Green Chemistry Initiative, visit the DTSC web site.