From: George Walton <GeorgeWalton**At_Symbol_Here**REACTIVES.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Evolution of chemical law and toxicology...
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 16:22:04 +0000
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 0493f3a025424b20b75d465a6a7a1ed8**At_Symbol_Here**reactives.com
In-Reply-To <3AE856B5-5942-4FC2-AEBF-94B03B925D0C**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu>


This may be a loose thread worth pulling. In the late 1800s, as our society shifted from agricultural to industrial (e.g., why is it called 'pig iron'?), railroads came under a plethora of regulations. Among other responses, (I believe this is the correct name) The Committee for the Safe Transportation of Explosives and Dangerous Goods was formed. It survives today as the Bureau of Explosives, part of the Association of American Railroads. A variety of regulations or shipping requirements followed, including Graziano's Tariff, through the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). Thirty years ago, 172.101 was for domestic shipment while 172.102 were for international shipment. This was dropped in favor of true international regulations (ICAO/IATA and IMDG Code). Perhaps closer to what you are looking for can be found in the history of "hazardous waste." As proposed in 1978, there were nine characteristics. Just in time for the 1980 presidential season, the 'f!
inal' regulations with only four characteristic wastes -- D001, D002, D003, D004--D043. As we speak, definition or at least the testing of Ignitable Characteristic (D001) is being modified or adjusted. How about the 'Purple Book' from OSHA when HazCom was modified to kinda' fit GHS. Or the different approaches taken under TSCA and REACH.

I know a bunch of abbreviations and some of their definitions. I don't know of a concise history of what happened to the other characteristic wastes. I think the difference between the 1976 TSCA and the ECHA programs such as REACH are interesting. I think they reflect what physical, chemical, and biological researchers know (at the time), the view of government, and what society will abide. Remember Ms. Gibbs and Love Canal.

Hope this helps.

George C. Walton, CHMM
Reactives Management Corporation
1025 Executive Blvd., Suite 101
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 436-1033

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety On Behalf Of Stuart, Ralph
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 9:06 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Evolution of chemical law and toxicology...

>a timeline of where chemical law has been and where it has led us to now...I am looking for a helpful website (or several) that gives an overview.
>
>
That would be a great resource to have for many different reasons, and I have looked for something like that on a couple of occasions with no luck. Walking through the history of specific chemicals, such as DDT, asbestos or radium paints can be used to highlight the interplay of technical issues and cultural influences on the history of chemical law, but there is no single pathway that they have in common (with the possible exception of a landmark event, either physical or social, that raises the profile of that issue in isolation).

There is also the challenge of trying to identify "obviously skewed or un-fundamental science" when the evidence base is continuously changing and the range of scientific and regulatory literacy is so wide, both in the general population and among technical experts. Developing a legal response in this setting become unpredictable due to its complexity, due to everyone's frustration.

Thanks for asking a good question!

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.