M8.5 : Ideal chemical policy

I think the six elements from the Louisville Charter provide a fundamental ground on which we can start creating an ideal chemical policy. I think the essential components of an ideal chemical policy would definitely include phasing out and banning persistent, bioaccumulative, or highly toxic chemicals. We do this by conducting research and test on how the chemicals will effect human health and development. Especially, if these chemicals are being used in pesticides or in agricultural industry. Second, it would include requiring manufacturers to provide comprehensive safety data for all chemicals for the chemicals to remain on the market. Another components is manufacturers must dispose these chemicals in a safe way that people and their health and the environments will not be harmed in the process. Also, manufacturer must provide a comprehensive transparent report on how they currently dispose these chemicals. From a public health protection perspective, I think the first component of the policy is the key to how to we can eliminate toxic chemicals from the market and stop them from being used in the products and foods that we eat on the daily basis. When credible evidence is provided that harms do exist even though there’s some uncertainty remains, under the policy, manufacturers have to pull the chemical off the market. We must act early in order to minimize the effects.