Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
or other reproductive harm, including additives or ingredi-
ents in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs,
dyes, or solvents. By providing this information, Proposition
65 enables Californians to make informed decisions about
their chemical exposure. It also prohibits businesses from
knowingly discharging significant amounts of listed chemi-
cals into sources of drinking water. This law has increased
public awareness about adverse effects of chemical exposure
and has provided an incentive for manufacturers to remove
listed chemicals from their products. It has been responsible
for reformulation of many consumer products to eliminate
toxic chemicals.
In 2014 the Vermont Senate passed one of the toughest
policies in the nation to regulate toxic chemicals found in all
consumer products, but business lobbyists downsized the bill
in the House, limiting the scope of the chemical reporting
requirement to children's products. Currently, the state regu-
lates chemicals one at time, and has done so only for mercury,
bisphenol A (BPA), lead, and flame retardants.
Invasive Species
Monitoring should be done frequently and carefully, and
when a known invasive species is detected forces should
be mobilized quickly to eradicate it. In a classic example
of better-late-than-never, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission in 2014 banned the import of lionfish for the
aquarium trade. This action, taken many years after the inva-
sion, was explained as a way to limit new introductions into
Florida waters.
What actions can individual citizens take to reduce
marine pollution?
Individual actions can make a big difference in reducing
marine pollution.
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