Safer alternatives assessment: the Massachusetts process as a model for state governments

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn 2006 the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute conducted a study to determine if states could identify safer alternatives to five chemicals of concern. The chemicals investigated included di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, lead and perchloroethylene. First, the Institute developed a methodology for assessing alternatives to these five chemicals that allowed it to quickly determine priority uses and alternatives to assess and to research the pertinent decision criteria, which included performance, technical, financial environmental and human health parameters. The methodology included important feedback from stakeholders in the state, which helped to focus and enhance the value of the work. Second, the Institute implemented the methodology over a ten month period. Based on the activities conducted by the Institute, safer alternatives were identified for each of the priority uses associated with the five chemicals studied. This report summarizes the methodology employed and provides examples of the results for one of the five chemicals, namely DEHP. The experience of the Institute and the information contained in this report indicates that alternatives assessment was a useful approach to organizing and evaluating information about chemicals and alternatives.Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Using Chemical Release Surveillance Data to Evaluate the Public Health Impacts of Chlorine and Its Alternatives

“…Toxics use reduction ( Table 1) is an important strategy in lessening environmental pollution and in protecting human health. One aspect of toxics use reduction is to identify chemical alternatives and assess their value by using information from many categories, including human health [4]. HSEES data on releases of toxic substances, including their frequency and public health consequences, provide a unique information source for the evaluation of whether discernible reductions in injury frequency and injury outcome occur when chemical alternatives are used in specific applications.…”

“…Fortunately, techniques exist to protect communities from the risk of a toxic release ( Table 1) [2]. Recently, some facilities and transporters have begun implementing hazard reduction and inherently safer technology (IST) to prevent or minimize chemical exposures, accidents, waste, and environmental contamination [3][4][5][6][7][8]. One approach to hazard reduction is to use less toxic alternatives.…”

An abbreviated alternatives assessment process for product designers: a children’s furniture manufacturing case study

“…Parameters include product performance metrics and priority human health and environmental attributes. The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute used a similar approach to prescreen alternatives when performing their Five Chemicals Alternatives Study (Eliason and Morose, 2010).…”

Elusive Critical Elements of Transformative Risk Assessment Practice and Interpretation: Is Alternatives Analysis the Next Step?

“…Some approaches use surrogates for exposure in addition to hazard characteristics of alternatives. Examples of alternatives analysis tools and methods include U.S. EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE), the Lowell Center Framework for Safer Chemicals Selection, CleanGredients®, GreenScreen®, BizN‐GO.org alternatives assessment protocol, GoodGuide, and the European Chemicals‐ Agency guidance for the registration of chemi‐cals…”

“…Alternatives analysis is under intense development, as it is the basis of several important emerging statutes, regulations, and policies . Many of these policies are motivated explicitly by the precautionary principle and a new focus on collaborative environmental policy . In Massachusetts, USA, the Toxics Use Reduction Act promotes the use of alternatives analysis as an important tool in implementing this voluntary regulation to reduce public exposure to hazardous compounds.…”