Monday, March 20, 2017
M8.5 Ideal Chemical Policy
After going through the information about pesticides and persistent organic pollutants provided in the modules, I believe there is without a doubt a need for a global chemical policy reform. It is upsetting to know that huge companies such as Novartis and Baylor are fully aware of the detrimental health effects of their pesticides, yet are blatantly selling their products in countries that lack regulations. There seems to be an endless need for these pesticides. For this reason, I believe an essential element of a chemical policy reform would need to focus on consumers. Consumers need to be more educated of the hazards that are associated with the foods and products they buy. Whether its the apple they eat or the plastic bottles they use, companies need to ensure a comprehensive assessment and report needs to be readily available to the public for consumers to be fully aware of the potential health effects of exposure. Of course substitutes of chemicals and production methods need to be implemented to prevent such chemicals from entering the market, but I believe that the consumers have a vital role in ensuring that harmful chemical products are not bought and proven healthy products stay in the marketplace. This will in turn provide companies to use best practices when developing a product or growing produce.
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I agree with the idea of a global policy reform. It can bring countries together to work more closely for a common environmental goal. Lack of regulations in developing countries probably may have increased the hazardous we are having today. Personally, I believe an ideal chemical policy should provide sufficient information about the chemicals and let the public know about them as well as protect the communities at risk. Also an ideal policy should not just be limiting pesticides, rather it should provide safer alternatives. Besides, legislation should require full disclosure of chemicals in our products and ensure that companies responsible for creating hazardous chemicals repair the damages to our health and our environment. Also, more research is needed to provide more comprehensive safety data and follow the long-term effects of these compounds over consumer health.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that there needs to be a global issue to regulate chemical use. The policy should include stricter regulations on harmful chemicals. One of the most interesting things that I found in the readings and videos is that the U.S has not banned many chemical use, where as other countries have banned these chemicals. A chemical policy should also include a call for the increase in alternative chemicals that will not harm the environment.
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