I wanted to explore the first background paper listed about requiring safer substitutes and solutions. I think it is extremely important for us to attempt to try to protect our communities and the environment from dangerous chemicals and providing substitutes that are not only safe but effective to use. We need to phase out dangerous chemicals and seek to reduce emissions of hazardous chemicals in our communities. If we do not at least attempt to re-examine our products, then we will do our environment a great disservice. Safer substitutions for chemicals should be researched and at the forefronts of providing a safe environment. We also need to take into consideration that it will take time to create such chemicals. Substitutes for chemicals are highly important and we must take calculated steps to find those substitutes that will not only be safe for the environment, but also useful.
Hi Snay,
ReplyDeleteI am all for safe substitutions as well! I read the same background paper and I believe that the biggest gap in the development of chemicals is that they must be proven harmful vs. proven safe. For this reason, I feel like we are seeing multiple harmful chemicals entering our environment and not finding out about their toxicity until someone clearly becomes sick due to its exposure. By creating some sort of substitution policy we can work towards identifying a safe replacement instead of simply reducing the quantity or concentration of the toxic substance, as is customary.
Hi Snay,
ReplyDeleteI've learnt great deal for the review of background paper #1 from both you and Nalleli. I agree with you substitution policy should require safe replacements and not just the reduction of existing toxin concentrations.