In Philadelphia, PA, the inmates may not be running the jailhouse, but they are suing the city.
During the last six months, 18 former and current inmates (13 women and five men) of Philadelphia's House of Correction have filed suit over injuries they claim are the direct result of perc exposure.
The inmates spearheading the suit attribute the perc exposure accruing during the time they spent working at the prison complex's drycleaning plant, which is a part of a voluntary program designed to give prisoners work experience skills prior to their release.
The contamination at the drycleaning plant stems from the prison plant workers' practice of improper perc disposal, which included dumping used perc onto the ground. The filed lawsuits contend that 20 spills occurred between 1990 and 1998, bringing about a total of approximately 700 gallons of spilled perchloroethylene.
Tests have already revealed PCE soil concentrations to be at 38,000 parts per million, a number considerably higher than the maximum contaminant levels allowed for residential groundwater areas. The Safe Drinking Water Act has set those limits at 5 parts per billion.
The first lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia was filed last summer. Since then, however, two other suits have followed, including one on the behalf of six prison staffers who claim to have suffered injuries from perc exposure. In addition to attributing the HOC drycleaning plant as an origin of perc exposure for the inmates, the lawsuit also mentions another source of perc contamination in the prison: the greenhouse where vegetables are grown for prison meals.
Virginia Miller, who filed the suits in federal and Philadelphia Common Pleas Courts with fellow lawyer Eugene Mattioni, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that several of her clients had displayed common symptomatic problems inherent in perc exposure, including irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin.
She also said that several clients had developed kidney problems and two had noticed exacerbated AIDS symptoms. Though the two individuals had tested positive for AIDS prior to the exposure, the symptoms had not been present prior to working at the contaminated site.
The Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance published a comprehensive "White Paper" report on perc over a year ago that stated: "Under certain conditions, overexposure to perchloroethylene may cause central nervous system (CNS) and liver effects.
Prolonged exposure to concentrations of 200 parts per million (ppm) or more has been associated with dizziness, confusion, headache, nausea, and irritation of the eyes and mucous tissue." The report also pointed out that some studies on perc found no "detectable effect."
In one case specifically noted, human volunteers who had been exposed to 150 ppm, 7.5 hours per day, five days a week for a period of 11 weeks, had displayed no liver or kidney effects.
In order to win the case, Miller and Mattioni will have the burden of proof to demonstrate that the physical symptoms of their clients were caused by perc exposure sustained at the prison and not from another source of contamination or a pre-existing health condition.
In the meantime, the 27-year old drycleaning plant at the Philadelphia HOC is currently preparing an estimated $1 million cleanup plan with the help of an environmental consultant.
According to Lynda Rebarchak, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the contamination of the drycleaning plant was reported back in 1998 when city officials first learned of the improper perc disposal.
Rebarchak informed the press that the city of Philadelphia was cleaning up the contaminated site on its own behalf and not under any orders from the DEP. Because city officials notified the DEP, she noted, both parties are working in conjunction to correct the problem.
Reservations are available for this year's Seminars at Sea, scheduled to set sail for Hawaii in November.
The event, which is cosponsored by the MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association and the Ohio Cleaners Association, will run 12 days and 11 nights from Nov. 4-15.
Attendees will depart from Ensenada, Mexico, at 8 p.m. on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas.
After four uninterrupted days of sailing across the Pacific Ocean, the cruise will take up port in Hilo, Hawaii on the morning of Nov. 9 at approximately 7 a.m.
Participants will have a full day to explore Hilo, as well as several other Hawaiian cities that are scheduled for the tour, including Kona and Kauai. Visitors will gain an extra day for sight-seeing (two days total) for the main stops on the Seminars at Sea program: Maui and Honolulu.
Costs for the Seminars at Sea cruise vary from $1259 to $1999 per person, depending on room location. There is also a $174 per person tax cost. All meals on board the ship, daily activities, nightly entertainment, exclusive Seminars at Sea cocktail parties and the full seminar program are all covered by these costs.
Seminar programs are planned to avoid conflicts with shipboard or shore activities.
The costs do not include air fare. Flights can be arranged by The Ship Shop through Royal Caribbean, as well as any transfer arrangements required from San Diego to the ship in Ensenada prior to departure.
Additionally, The Ship Shop can help provide transportation to the airport in Honolulu and each participant's subsequent return flight home.
Participants may also make independent flight and transfer arrangements.
Hotel accommodations in San Diego and Honolulu are available on request.
A $500 deposit per person is required in order to make a reservation. Final payment for Seminars at Sea is required by Aug. 22.
To make a reservation, contact Donna at The Ship Shop at (800) 243-1630.
More information can be obtained by contacting your association: PDCA members should call (800) 822-7352 or (215) 830-8495; MAC members should call (800) 235-8360; and OCA members should call (614) 221-1900.
Time is fast approaching for the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute's state convention, which is scheduled to take place from Feb. 9-11.
The three-day event will be held at the Regency Suites in Green Bay, WI.
Highlighting the educational sessions will be Bill Fisher, CEO of the International Fabricare Institute. He will be speaking at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10. His hour-long presentation will be on the "Future of Drycleaning in the U.S.A."
Also on Saturday's schedule, a panel discussion on alternative solvents will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. IFI Executive Director Joe Phillips will moderate the discussion, which will include input from the following people: Tom Judge (carbon dioxide), Richard Klinke (DF-2000) and Doug Berry (GreenEarth).
Rounding out the day will be an "Update on DERF" by Robin Schmidt from 11:30 to noon and a "Legislative Update" by state representative Dean Kaufert from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Feb. 11, Alan Robson of Biz Builder Services will explain why "Profit is Not a Dirty Word" from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
A buffet dinner is scheduled for Friday night on Feb. 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. It will be followed by a WFI presentation of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
On Saturday, WFI will offer a banquet dinner at 7 p.m., which will be accompanied by scholarship drawing and the presentation of five-star awards. Guest speaker Jeff Wagner of WTMJ radio will make an appearance, as well.
Room rates are available for attendees at a rate of $95 for single or double occupancy. For reservations, call (800) 236-3330.
Convention rates will begin at a $140 for members who wish to attend all events. Spouses of members may attend for $110.
Otherwise, packages can be purchased by members at the following rates: the Friday Evening Package is $30; the Saturday Business Session Package is $50; the Saturday Evening Banquet Package is $45; and the Sunday Business Session Package is $35.
Rates go up $15 for all events or $5 per package after Feb. 2. For more information, contact WFI at (414) 529-4707.
The Michigan Institute of Laundering & Drycleaning will be presenting five training opportunities with Carolyn Schwass in the month of February.
Schwass, who has over 40 years of experience in the industry, has been a garment analyst for IFI and graduated the 13-week course offered at the National Institute of Drycleaning.
On Feb. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m., she will be discussing "Fibers and Fabrics" at Curtis Equipment, located at 1040 W. Main in Lowell, MI. Attendees will become familiar with fibers, fabrics, weaves, dyes, finishes, and the effects and problems of trimming on garments.
"Quality Assurance Training" will be provided from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Fashion Cleaners, located at 1537 Langley in Grand Rapids, MI. Schwass will discuss how to assure the quality of work in a drycleaning plant.
On the same day, Schwass will be teaching another course at Fashion Cleaners from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. on "Communications in Tracking Spots and Stains for Customer Service Representatives." The training session will educate attendees on stain and fabric identification, spotting chemicals and more.
"Customer Service Representative Training" will be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11 at One Hour Martinizing in Grand Rapids, MI. Schwass will explain how to CSRs can educate customers from behind the counter.
"Pressing and Finishing" will follow at the same location from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Onlookers will be able to learn the tricks of the trade when it comes to pressing and finishing garments.
MILD members pay $25 per session. Non-members pay $40. For more information, contact MILD at (517) 337-2909.
The Indiana Drycleaning and Laundry Association will offer two drycleaning and spotting classes in March.
The first course will be held on March 10 in Indianapolis, IN, followed by another session in Clarksville, IN, on March 11.
The class will be taught by Everett Childers, an independent industry constultant and the author of "The Master Drycleaner's Notebook."
On both dates, the class will be broken down into two segments.
During the morning, Childers will discuss fibers, fabrics, dyes and garments. He will also break down the various parts of a drycleaning machine, covering solvents, distillation, filtration, running times and maximizing the machine's efficiency.
The afternoon will be reserved for explaining the contents of staining material and how stains can safely be removed from all of the fabrics and dyes covered in the morning session.
The classes are open to all drycleaners. Non-members of IDLA may attend.
For more details, contact IDLA at (800) 401-0703 or e-mail indla@indla.com .
Coming up in February, drycleaners will have an opportunity to learn how to "Be A Survivor." However, nobody will be forced to eat any rats.
Instead, the Minnesota Cleaners Association will be teaching cleaners how to succeed in today's industry at its annual convention, scheduled for Feb. 23-25 at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.
MCA's "Survivor" theme for its 2001 convention promises to deliver a high quality arsenal of educational opportunities so that attendees can obtain the tools necessary to succeed in business.
Additionally, the association will highlight its three days of scheduled activities with "Survivor" contests where cleaners will be placed in one of two tribes where they will be asked to prove their knowledge on a variety of topics. However, members who don't do well will be voted out of their tribe until only one contestant remains.
The first "Survivor" contest will be held on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 24 and the contest will reach its conclusion on Sunday with a grand finale presentation. The contest winner will receive a week-long stay for up to 12 people in a Colorado condo -- a prize donated by Don's Leather Cleaning, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Those who wish to take part in the "Survivor" contest must check the appropriate box on MCA's registration form. All participants will be notified by phone.
MCA's educational program will be highlighted by some of the industry's most popular speakers, including IFI garment analyst Chris Allsbrooks and Pamela Yellen from the Prospecting and Marketing Institute.
Allsbrooks will deliver a hands-on spotting seminar on Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. At the same time, representatives from GreenEarth Technology and Chart Applied Industries will speak on "New Technologies to Help Survive the New Millennium."
Saturday's schedule also includes four "Survivor" challenges, an MCA board meeting and a discussion of the MCA Insurance Program by Bill Valin, who has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the afternoon, Yellen will present "How to Flood Your Drycleaning Business with Quality Customers."
On the morning of Sunday, Feb. 25, Chris Allsbrooks will kick off her session on "Identifying Problem Garments at the Counter" at 9 a.m.
Also on Sunday, a tour of Mystic Lake's laundry facilities will be offered and the final "Survivor" challenge is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m.
Full registration for the convention is $145 for members and $245 for non-members. Packages will also be available for all of Saturday's seminars ($125 for members and $235 for non-members) and Sunday's problem garment seminar ($55 for members and $160 for non-members).
MCA has reserved rooms at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, which is located near Minneapolis and St.Paul in Minnesota. The rates are $75 per night for single or double occupancy.
To reserve a room, call (952) 445-9000 and tell the agent that you are affiliated with MCA's convention.
For more information on MCA's "Be A Survivor" 2001 convention, contact the association at (651) 290-6267.
Troy Cleaners, located in Flint, MI, recently became the first drycleaning business to participate in a pollution prevention project under the state's Clean Michigan Initiative program.
The CMI program, voted into effect in 1998, provides low interest loans from a $675 million allotted fund to small businesses (fewer than 100 employees) that work to eliminate or reduce waste.
After being approved by the state Department of Environmental Quality, Troy Cleaners will be using a $100,000 loan to purchase two drycleaning machines that reduce the amount of perc use for the plant by 50% a year.
In addition, Troy Cleaners will also buy a more energy efficient garment press and install a 12-ton water tower for the purpose of water conservation.
As part of the program, the state DEQ works with local banks to ensure that the participating business does not have to pay an interest rate higher than 5%. The maximum amount a business can borrow is $100,000.
For more information on the Clean Michigan Initiative, visit www.senate.state.mi.us/sfa/depts/mci.html. To contact a representative for CMI at the Michigan DEQ, call (800) 662-9278.
A Connecticut cleaner may face prison time and a $500,000 fine and another drycleaner from Manhattan owes over $30,000 in penalty charges as the result of several violations concerning the storage and improper disposal of perc.
Michael Rosenberg, who owned Avenue Cleaners in Naugatuck, CN, from 1995 to 1999, has been charged with illegally disposing of hazardous waste, obstructing justice and making false statements.
Back in March of last year, two barrels of tetrachloroethylene waste product marked with Avenue Cleaners' labels were discovered near the Farmington, Connecticut Reservoir. Reportedly, the reservoir is no longer used for drinking water; however, the wells of two homes in the areas were contaminated, according to authorities.
On Dec. 6, Rosenberg turned himself into federal authorities at the U.S. District Court in Hartford. After giving his statement, he was released on a $50,000 bond.
Once evidence is presented to a grand jury, Rosenberg could face as many as 15 years in prison and a fine of up to half a million dollars if convicted of all charges.
Also in news of late, Splendid Enterprises Limited, a commercial drycleaner and launderer located in Manhattan, has been charged with several violations by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Splendid Enterprises, which has nine drop-off locations throughout Manhattan, was inspected by the EPA last August.
EPA found several open perc waste containers without labels, which are required by law. Some perc waste from one of the containers was reported to have overflowed into a sewer floor drain.
Splendid Enterprises was brought up on charges for mismanaged and mislabeled containers holding perc wastes; not conducting weekly inspections of areas where containers were stored; and shipping perc off of the premises without hazardous waste manifests.
Additionally, the EPA reported in a news release that Splendid had informed them that they had routinely emptied out the perc waste contents of one of the waste containers into a sewer floor drain.
In all, the EPA is seeking a penalty of $34,250 and has ordered the plant to comply with all applicable federal and state regulations.
New York drycleaners will have an excellent opportunity to stand together and be heard on Feb. 6 for Albany Day 2001.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association has prepared this year's agenda, which includes a wide variety of issues.
One industry concern that will be addressed is reducing the amount of paperwork required by the DEC. NCA has developed an easier record-keeping form that makes the process simpler and less time-consuming.
Also, cleaners will be seeking the advent of a machinery Lemon Law bill that would force machine manufacturers to warranty their machines and guarantee that they comply with Part 232 requirements.
Other items on the agenda include: an extension of the FAB program deadline; a broadening of the FAB base to include all 4th generation machine purchases from 1993 on; expanding the benefits of the FAB funds so that cleaners might receive the full $8 million intended by the Senate; pushing back the deadline for the Part 232-compliant machinery program; providing statewide financial assistance money for cleaners in New York; and voicing the industry's opposition to the Brodsky bill.
Albany Day will begin with a 9:15 a.m. meeting in Albany. Afterward, cleaners will go to the pre-arranged meetings with New York State Assembly members and senators that will run until approximately 4:15 p.m.
Transportation buses will be set to depart from Manhattan and Long Island to Albany at 6 a.m.
For more information or to secure a reservation, contact Vincent Beazer at NCA at (212) 967-2002, ext. 224.
Details can also be found on NCA's web site at www.nca-i.com.
The North East Fabricare Association has joined together with other affiliated fabric care groups, including the Coin Laundry Association of Massachusetts and the New England Laundry Association, in order to hire Jim Hurrell as a lobbyist for the industry in Massachusetts.
Hurrell, who has worked with NEFA since the early 1970s, helped make sure that drycleaning and laundry operations in Massachusetts were exempt from paying personal property taxes annually.
As part of his duties, Hurrell will inform the state's various drycleaning and laundry associations of any proposed legislation that may affect the industry. He will also be designated to help ensure the passage of the bill that exempts special licenses for boilers.
In keeping with a theme of new changes for the new year, NEFA also announced that Mary White will be joining the association as its office coordinator.
White, who has worked eleven years as a research/educational assistant at the Bedford VA Hospital, will be responsible for meeting planning, grant preparation, research and record-keeping, and coordinating staff activities.
She is a member of St. Joseph's Choir. Additionally, she teaches 8th grade C.C.D. and is a member of the Liturgical Committee.
Proper stain removal techniques will be the topic of discussion for a two-and-a-half day course offered by the International Fabricare Institute and the Southwest Drycleaners Association.
The class is scheduled to take place from Feb. 16-18 at the International Textile Center in Lubbock at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
IFI's Chris Allsbrooks will instruct the course, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16 and 17, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Allsbrooks, a garment analyst for IFI, is a popular speaker who has taught at several industry seminars and conferences. Course topics of discussion will include: understanding textiles and stain removal; organizing stain removal tools and equipment; simplifying stain removal agents; improving basic stain removal procedures; clarifying the use of bleaches; managing stain removal and specialty fabrics; and learning how to save time and avoid damage while removing difficult stains.
Class space is limited to a maximum of 24 students. The cost is $290 for members of IFI/SDA and $425 for non-members. Reservations can be made by calling (210) 826-4684.
SDA has reserved rooms at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Lubbock, TX, at a rate of $51 plus tax per night for single occupancy. Another $5 will be added to that rate for each additional room member up to four. Room reservations can be arranged at (806) 747-0171. Callers should identify themselves with SDA.
For more information on SDA's International Textile Center in Texas Tech University, visit the following web site: www.itc.ttu.edu.
The Coin Laundry Association has chosen Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, as the site for its Spring 2001 Workshop, scheduled to take place from Feb. 9-11.
The three-day event will include several educational seminars. "Custom Service With Style" will be presented by Patrick J. Donadio, MBA, MCC. Donadio, at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9.
Donadio is a professional speaker and business coach with 14 years of experience working with people from Fortune 500 companies, will help attendees learn how to maximize their customer service skills, build better relationships and increase repeat business.
At 10 a.m. on the same day, a seminar on "Hiring Attendants in Today's Economy / Employee Issues" will focus on finding and keeping reliable employees. After lunch, a "Coin Laundry Surveillance Technology" seminar will begin at 1 p.m., followed by "Coin Laundry 101: Basics For Beginners" at 3:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, CLA's program will begin at 8 a.m. with a roundtable discussion which will allow CLA members to discuss and exchange a variety of ideas.
Later in the day at 10:30 a.m., a "Coin Laundry Video Tour" will be offered. At 11:30 a.m., Bob Frandsen, a member of CLA's Board of Directors, will discuss "Small Business Operation."
After lunch, John Vassiliades, executive director for the CLA Insurance Program, is slated to talk about "Proper Dryer Installation and Maintenance," a seminar designed to help coin launderers go beyond the basics of dryer installation and learn about some common maintenance errors. Vassiliades brings over 29 years of experience to the discussion, which will also cover ways to safeguard stores, reduce dryer inefficiency and decrease the risk of dryer related fires.
Saturday's educational sessions will end with "Coin Laundry Advertising Case Studies" at 3 p.m.
At 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, Brian Wallace, executive director of CLA, will present "Improving the Profitability of Your Store," which will help its audience to identify ways to increase sales volume effectively, reduce operating expenses and develop long-term planning.
Following the hour and fifteen minute discussion will be a joint presentation by Brian Wallace and John Vassiliades at 9:45 a.m. The two CLA executives will offer a "Coin Laundry Design Workshop" that will help coin launderers turn their ideas into reality. They will discuss everything from how to create a project plan to how to implement and monitor it.
Registration costs for CLA members is $349 per person. Non-members pay $449.
The price includes all educational seminars and accompanying materials, three complimentary breakfasts, two group luncheons, a ticket to the CLA Group Dinner Celebration at 4 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 10, and admittance to the Thursday evening Cocktail Reception that begins at 5 p.m.
Hotel reservations are available at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas at a workshop rate of $130 per night. Call (800) 634-3434 to make reservations.
For more information on the show, or to register online for CLA's Spring 2001 Workshop, visit www.claconvention.com. CLA can also be contacted by phone at (877) CLA-IDEA.
For information on CLA can also be obtained at its web site, located at www.coinlaundry.org.
Everett Childers resigned January 17 as executive director of the South Eastern Fabricare Association, the SEFA office reported.
Childers took over as SEFA's executive director in July, 1999. Prior to that, he had been a drycleaner, industry educator and private consultant. He said he plans to return to private consulting.
Until a successor is selected by the SEFA board, association business will be handled by office administrators Dee Payne and Lynn Paul. The office phone number is (770) 998-9900.
The South Eastern Fabricare Association announced plans for over 70 learning opportunities for its members throughout the course of the year.
In the coming months, SEFA has already scheduled several classes, including a Basic and Advanced Drycleaning course, as well as classes dealing with spotting techniques, employee relations and customer service issues.
Instruction for the classes will be provided by Martin Young, Misty Gaines and other industry experts and educators who will bring their many years of industry experience into the classroom.
SEFA's drycleaning courses will be broken down into two different segments
The morning session will cover fibers and fabrics for beginning drycleaning, while the afternoon will shift its attention to advanced materials, helping attendees get the most efficiency out of their machinery.
Similarly, the spotting courses will discuss basics in the morning and advanced topics in the afternoon, including wetcleaning and bleaching.
The customer service courses will review everything involved in making a good and professional impression to customers. Attendees will also learn how to deal with difficult customers and unusual situations in a practical manner.
SEFA's employee relations' courses will address how to find employees and hire them. Additionally, the course will concentrate on employee retention and team building.
The Basic and Advanced Drycleaning course is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 10, in Atlanta, GA, and on Saturday, April 14, in Tampa, FL. A class in Spanish will be available on Saturday, May 12, in Miami, FL.
The first Basic and Advanced Spotting class is set to take place on Sunday, March 11, in Atlanta, GA. Another class in English will be taught on Sunday, April 15, in Tampa, FL. A Spanish course is set for Sunday, May 13, in Miami, FL.
SEFA will be holding courses on Employee Relations at the following dates and times: Monday, March 12, in Atlanta, GA; Tuesday, March 20, in Charleston, SC; Thursday, March 22, in Augusta, SC; Monday, April 16, in Tampa, FL; Tuesday, April 24, in Macon, GA; Tuesday, May 22, in Atlanta, GA; and Thursday, May 24, in Savannah, GA.
A course will be available in Spanish on Monday, May 14, in Miami, FL.
Ten Customer Service courses will be available, including one in Spanish on Monday, May 14, in Miami, FL.
The other courses will be at the following dates and locations: Monday, March 12, in Atlanta, GA; Tuesday, March 20, in Savannah, GA; Thursday, March 22, in August, SC; Monday, April 16, in Tampa, FL; Tuesday, April 24, in Macon, GA; Wednesday, April 25, in Columbus, GA; Tuesday, May 22, in Atlanta, GA; and Thursday, May 24, in Savannah, GA.
SEFA also has plans for a full day course on Management and Costing on Saturday, April 28, in Atlanta, GA.
For more information on SEFA's upcoming classes, contact the association at (770) 998-9900 or visit SEFA's web site, located at www.sefa.org.
A California law designed to warn the public about exposure to hazardous substances is "misdirected and highly unlikely" to improve public health, according to a group of scientists and physicians associated with the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH).
Prop 65, a law passed in 1986, requires businesses to post signs with wording like "WARNING: This area contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer." Perc is among the chemicals listed by the state that require warnings. The law requires that the warning signs be posted in a conspicuous place where they can be seen before exposure to the chemicals could occur.
The ACSH report said: "Regrettably, Prop 65 does not focus on known risk factors for human cancer or reproductive toxicity. Instead, it relies on lists of chemicals--information on many of whose negative health effects is based on high-dose animal tests and is not directly relevant to typical human exposures."
The American Council on Science and Health is a consortium of more than 350 scientists and physicians dedicated to consumer education on public health issues, such as the environment, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. One of the organization's stated goals is to "illuminate the difference between real health risks and hypothetical or trivial health scares."
Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, said "The public should be informed that a risk to health depends on both the degree of hazard as well as the degree of exposure to any potentially toxic substance. Brief exposures to trace levels of environmental chemicals are extremely unlikely to pose a real health risk. Prop 65 masks this fact by its failure to assess and communicate risk reasonably."
The law has no official information-gathering provisions, making it difficult to determine its impact on public health, ACSH said.
Many of the chemicals on the state's list are there because of effects in laboratory animals, ACSH said. The purposes of such tests -- to produce an effect -- and the conditions under which they are made -- high dose, long-term exposure -- must be understood.
Ultimately, Prop 65 provides consumers with knowledge but little, if any, guidance on how to use and interprets the information provided.
The goal of improving public health may actually be subverted by the law, ACSH argued, by failing to focus on known risk factors associated with specific health effects in humans, thus diminishing the ability and effectiveness of public health efforts to address those known risks.
The law has meant more than just posting "warning" signs for some California cleaners. Under another aspect of the law, the "bounty hunter" provision, private citizens or organizations can initiate legal action against firms they say aren't complying with the law.
Some organizations have used that provision to their advantage by taking such action, then offering to drop the suit in exchange for an out-of-court cash settlement.
Copyright © 2001, National Clothesline Maintained by: Hal Horning