Introduction
The regulation of the matters associated with toxic wastes in the context of public health and environmental protection is regarded as among the most burning issues nowadays. Although initially, the discussions over industrial poisonous wastes and health and industry matters have gained tremendous popularity in mass media, many problems should be solved immediately. Thus, this paper aims to discuss the successes and failures of American policy in the matters of protection against using toxic chemicals in various industries. Moreover, the article will touch upon the “precautionary principle” issue to prevent these failures.
Successes and Failures
As for the matters of success, American public policy activists have succeeded in forbidding up to twenty toxic chemicals in industry. Thus, bisphenol A, widely used in producing plastic bottles and food containers, is now the criminal element. Another success is that Natural Resources Defense Council claimed that the contents of the foods were printed on the label. Although the original problem was that consumers often bought a product, believing it is safe for health and the environment, and this was not true, the NRDC was seriously concerned about this fact. Consequently, the advocacy group of the council claimed that food producers pointed out the complete information about their products on the label.
As for the failures, which the movement experienced, they are closely associated with their successes. Thus, BPA, which is considered illegal, is still a matter of lots of discussions. Some industries defend their right to manufacture food containers using BPA, as, under their tests, it is harmless for health and the environment. Thus, banning products does not stop debates over them.
As it is stated by the authors of the article (p. 67): The task of regulating the chemical industry’s constant stream of new products for health and safety risks can seem hopelessly daunting. But some experts see a way: green chemistry, which seeks to design chemicals and chemical processes with reduced environmental impacts.
Thus, it may be regarded as the most significant failure – the constant development of the chemical industry and the discovery of new components which appear to be harmful.
Lessons to Learn
As for the decisions that should be made, there is a vital necessity to emphasize that to succeed, and there is a necessity not to stop struggling. Considering the issues of green chemistry, it should be stated that the main idea of this issue is to promote the elaboration of harmless chemicals. Nevertheless, to promote this idea, NRDC will have to win a sizeable national grant, as implementing this idea would cause the restructuring of the whole chemical industry.
The precautionary approach seems to be somewhat effective and has excellent potential. Nevertheless, immense efforts will be required to implement this principle in all industrial objects.
Conclusion
Finally, it should be emphasized that the use of toxic chemicals in industry is the issue that has concerned people since the appearance of the chemical industry as a separate branch. Nevertheless, the efforts of humanity to protect the environment can be regarded as relatively successful despite some failures.
Bibliography
CQ Researcher. Regulating Toxic Chemicals. Published by CQ Press, a division of SAGE Publications. 2009