Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and California officials have proposed a sweeping series of “green chemistry” measures aimed at forcing companies to reduce use of toxic chemicals in their products and reveal to consumers the potential dangers and environmental footprint of goods sold in the state. The green chemistry proposals — a combination of regulatory and voluntary measures — would eventually enable customers to use their cell phones to scan bar codes on products and obtain information on toxicity and environmental impact. Roughly 644 million pounds of chemical products are sold in California every day and a significant percentage contain chemicals that may be harmful to humans. “These recommendations usher in a new era of how we look at household products,” said Schwarzenegger. “Instead of paying attention to the toxic substances in our everyday products only when it comes time to throw them away in the landfill, we will now pay attention when the product is designed, manufactured, used, and recycled.”
`Green Chemistry’ InitiativeIs Launched by California Governor
More From E360
-
ANALYSIS
Will New Leader End Progress in Saving Indonesia’s Forests?
-
Oceans
Dire Straits: Can a Fishing Ban Save the Elusive European Eel?
-
Climate
Scientists Are Trying to Coax the Ocean to Absorb More CO2
-
INTERVIEW
Marina Silva on Brazil’s Fight to Turn the Tide on Deforestation
-
Solutions
Solomon Islands Tribes Sell Carbon Credits, Not Their Trees
-
INTERVIEW
With Sea Turtles in Peril, a Call for New Strategies to Save Them
-
RIVERS
Jared Kushner Has Big Plans for Delta of Europe’s Last Wild River
-
Energy
A Nuclear Power Revival Is Sparking a Surge in Uranium Mining
-
OPINION
Despite Official Vote, the Evidence of the Anthropocene Is Clear
-
INTERVIEW
At 11,500 Feet, a ‘Climate Fast’ to Save the Melting Himalaya
-
Oceans
Octopuses Are Highly Intelligent. Should They Be Farmed for Food?
-
Climate
Nations Are Undercounting Emissions, Putting UN Goals at Risk