Comments on: Preventing Future Bhopals http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/ Global Perspectives for an American Audience Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:33:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Cheri Ziff http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-3901 Cheri Ziff Sat, 01 May 2010 20:40:33 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-3901 it is still better to adhere on organic farming because the fruits and vegetables does not contain those harmful chemicals..," it is still better to adhere on organic farming because the fruits and vegetables does not contain those harmful chemicals..,”

]]> By: Henrik Selin http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2478 Henrik Selin Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:22:06 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2478 Thank you all for your comments and questions; it was both fun and educational to participate in this forum! There is currently a lot of focus on climate change, and rightfully so. At the same time, we need to remember that there are many other important environment and development issues besides climate change. The production, trade, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals are critical sustainable development issues for both industrialized and developing countries. Societal shifts towards more pro-active and precautionary management systems for hazardous substances are essential but difficult. These are important issues that we will be talking about for a long time! Thank you all for your comments and questions; it was both fun and educational to participate in this forum! There is currently a lot of focus on climate change, and rightfully so. At the same time, we need to remember that there are many other important environment and development issues besides climate change. The production, trade, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals are critical sustainable development issues for both industrialized and developing countries. Societal shifts towards more pro-active and precautionary management systems for hazardous substances are essential but difficult. These are important issues that we will be talking about for a long time!

]]> By: Henrik Selin http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2477 Henrik Selin Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:00:38 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2477 Rekha, good point about the role of the manufactures. Consumer demand is important, but so is government pressure on manufacturers. We are seeing the importance of this in Europe through directives such as WEEE, RoHS and REACH, which are pushing manufacturers to substitute hazardous substances and improve design. This is now spreading to other countries, including China, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Some similar action is taken in a growing number of US states, but we need more of this. Ultimately, the US federal government should set such product and recycling standards, and I think we are heading in that direction based on recent legslative proposals in Congress. Rekha, good point about the role of the manufactures. Consumer demand is important, but so is government pressure on manufacturers. We are seeing the importance of this in Europe through directives such as WEEE, RoHS and REACH, which are pushing manufacturers to substitute hazardous substances and improve design. This is now spreading to other countries, including China, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Some similar action is taken in a growing number of US states, but we need more of this. Ultimately, the US federal government should set such product and recycling standards, and I think we are heading in that direction based on recent legslative proposals in Congress.

]]> By: Rekha Murthy http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2476 Rekha Murthy Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:27:17 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2476 Henrik - thank you for an interesting interview. While I agree that consumption is part of the problem, an even larger part seems to me to be the planned obsolescence of electronics by manufacturers. It's not quite fair to blame the consumer so much when our products break down quickly or degrade in function/compatibility at a relentless pace set by the industry. Plus, most of us couldn't imagine just how toxic the materials are. How can we pressure companies to develop better, longer-lasting products? Some excellent coverage of the ewaste issue: Current TV: http://current.com/items/76355482_pollution-to-protest.htm Frontline/World: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana80 Story of Stuff: http://www.storyofstuff.com Henrik – thank you for an interesting interview.

While I agree that consumption is part of the problem, an even larger part seems to me to be the planned obsolescence of electronics by manufacturers. It’s not quite fair to blame the consumer so much when our products break down quickly or degrade in function/compatibility at a relentless pace set by the industry. Plus, most of us couldn’t imagine just how toxic the materials are. How can we pressure companies to develop better, longer-lasting products?

Some excellent coverage of the ewaste issue:

Current TV: http://current.com/items/76355482_pollution-to-protest.htm

Frontline/World: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana80

Story of Stuff: http://www.storyofstuff.com

]]> By: Henrik Selin http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2475 Henrik Selin Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:38:05 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2475 It is difficult to get a global overview of the extent and severity of pollution and contamination problems. The Blacksmith Institute and the Green Cross Switzerland keeps a list of some of the worst polluted areas in the world: http://www.worstpolluted.org. This list only reveals the tip of the iceberg when comes to pollution problems, but it also showcases success stories. In general, heavy metals have received less global political attention than chemicals. This is beginning to change with negotiations on a mercury treaty starting next year: http://www.bdlaw.com/news-news-502.html and http://www.iisd.ca/chemical/wginc1/brief/brief_mercury.pdf. It is difficult to get a global overview of the extent and severity of pollution and contamination problems. The Blacksmith Institute and the Green Cross Switzerland keeps a list of some of the worst polluted areas in the world: http://www.worstpolluted.org. This list only reveals the tip of the iceberg when comes to pollution problems, but it also showcases success stories. In general, heavy metals have received less global political attention than chemicals. This is beginning to change with negotiations on a mercury treaty starting next year: http://www.bdlaw.com/news-news-502.html and http://www.iisd.ca/chemical/wginc1/brief/brief_mercury.pdf.

]]> By: Rick Hind http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2472 Rick Hind Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:02:52 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2472 Chemical security legislation has to be enacted before a temporary law expires on Oct. 1st. The only question is will the new law gamble on "fence-line" security that has failed in the past or use proven safer chemicals and processes that can eliminate these risks entirely. For the first time since 9/11 both the President and our Congressional leadership want to eliminate these risks where ever feasible with safer chemical processes. That's a huge turnaround that presents a very promising situation for 2010. Here's a link to the President & Vice President speaking on this legislation when they were in the Senate: http://vimeo.com/6036651 http://vimeo.com/5958647 Chemical security legislation has to be enacted before a temporary law expires on Oct. 1st. The only question is will the new law gamble on “fence-line” security that has failed in the past or use proven safer chemicals and processes that can eliminate these risks entirely. For the first time since 9/11 both the President and our Congressional leadership want to eliminate these risks where ever feasible with safer chemical processes. That’s a huge turnaround that presents a very promising situation for 2010. Here’s a link to the President & Vice President speaking on this legislation when they were in the Senate:
http://vimeo.com/6036651
http://vimeo.com/5958647

]]> By: Henrik Selin http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2471 Henrik Selin Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:06:53 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2471 Rick, thank you for adding this information to the discussion. It demonstrates both that at least some things are improving but also that there is a long way to go before we achieve appropriate chemical safety. Sen. Lautenberg has been pushing chemicals legislation for a long time (and Waxman and other have been doing the same in the House). So far to no avail. However, the time may now actually be ripe for making needed changes to TSCA and other pieces of federal legislation. Rick, thank you for adding this information to the discussion. It demonstrates both that at least some things are improving but also that there is a long way to go before we achieve appropriate chemical safety. Sen. Lautenberg has been pushing chemicals legislation for a long time (and Waxman and other have been doing the same in the House). So far to no avail. However, the time may now actually be ripe for making needed changes to TSCA and other pieces of federal legislation.

]]> By: Rick Hind http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2470 Rick Hind Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:21:11 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2470 Henrik, In preventing future Bhopals, let's not forget the historic chemical security legislation (H.R. 2868) approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6th. This compromise bill could prevent Bhopal catastrophes at about 107 of the highest risk U.S. chemical plants. Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) will introduce legislation in January. Ideally Congress should adopt security standards that ensure that ALL of the highest risk plants use safer chemical processes. At least 287 U.S. chemical plants have converted to safer chemical processes since 1999, eliminating these risks for 38.5 million Americans. However, another 300 plants put 110 million Americans at risk. A complete list of safer processes is at: www.americanprogress.org/issues/2006/04/b681085_ct2556757.html Henrik, In preventing future Bhopals, let’s not forget the historic chemical security legislation (H.R. 2868) approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6th. This compromise bill could prevent Bhopal catastrophes at about 107 of the highest risk U.S. chemical plants. Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) will introduce legislation in January. Ideally Congress should adopt security standards that ensure that ALL of the highest risk plants use safer chemical processes. At least 287 U.S. chemical plants have converted to safer chemical processes since 1999, eliminating these risks for 38.5 million Americans. However, another 300 plants put 110 million Americans at risk. A complete list of safer processes is at: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2006/04/b681085_ct2556757.html

]]> By: Henrik Selin http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2469 Henrik Selin Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:13:38 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2469 Elsa, your organic farming question is a simple question requiring a long and complex answer! Living in the US, I think it is generally a good idea to support local and organic/environmentally friendly farms (while noting that organically produced food can still come with a big carbon footprint depending on transportation issues) as well as reduce pesticide use to a minimum. However, we also need to feed people all over the world. This could perhaps be the topic of a future Science Forum: Can organic farming feed a growing world population?!?! Elsa, your organic farming question is a simple question requiring a long and complex answer! Living in the US, I think it is generally a good idea to support local and organic/environmentally friendly farms (while noting that organically produced food can still come with a big carbon footprint depending on transportation issues) as well as reduce pesticide use to a minimum. However, we also need to feed people all over the world. This could perhaps be the topic of a future Science Forum: Can organic farming feed a growing world population?!?!

]]> By: Grace http://www.world-science.org/forum/preventing-future-bhopals-henrik-selin/comment-page-1/#comment-2468 Grace Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:52:07 +0000 http://www.world-science.org/?p=1819#comment-2468 So many great perspectives and interesting stories/links. I will further investigate here. Thank you all so much. So many great perspectives and interesting stories/links. I will further investigate here.
Thank you all so much.

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