Better living through green chemistry? 

This winter, the Massachusetts Senate took the first steps toward policy that could help to one day make products across America safer for our health and environment.

The Senate passed the Environment Massachusetts-backed Safer Alternatives Bill, which would require manufacturers to use existing, safer alternatives to many of the chemicals most dangerous to our health and well-being.

It would also spur research and development to find safe alternatives to dangerous chemicals for which we do not yet have a viable replacement.

“This legislation will put Massachusetts at the forefront of responsible chemical policy and safeguard the residents of the Commonwealth from the very real and unseen dangers of toxic chemicals,” said Sen. Steven Tolman (Brighton), lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “These chemicals have, unfortunately, become a part of our everyday lives and have been proven to be the root cause of many of the health disorders affecting the people of this state.”

Building support for a revolutionary plan

Environment Massachusetts worked with the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, a coalition of citizens, scientists, health professionals, workers and educators, to build support for the plan in the Massachusetts Legislature.

The plan looks first to toxics used in manufacturing that are linked to chronic illnesses, such as cancer and reproductive and developmental disabilities. Where feasible, it mandates the transition to the use of existing safer alternatives.

The bill provides transition assistance to businesses, and because of similar standards in the European Union, will increase the international competitiveness of Massachusetts’ businesses.

It also takes advantage of Massachusetts’ brainpower by spurring the development of safer alternatives to dangerous chemicals without a currently-available feasible alternative.

The “green chemistry” spurred by the bill could help to one day eliminate many dangerous chemicals from the manufacturing process.

The bill encountered strong opposition from many chemical companies and manufacturers, and their lobbyists in the State House, but passed its first hurdle with Senate approval, thanks to the leadership of Senate President Therese Murray (Plymouth) and the work of Sens. Steven Tolman (Brighton) and Pam Resor (Acton).

“This really is a significant advance,” said Winston Vaughan, field organizer for Environment Massachusetts.

“Our health is compromised by the use of hazardous chemicals. Where there’s a viable alternative available, manufacturers should be using it. And where there isn’t, we need to find one. We’ll be at the front of the pack in developing safer substitutes for toxics.”

The bill also has broad support in the Massachusetts House, which has yet to put it to a full vote.