M8.5: An Ideal chemical policy

An ideal chemical policy would have the following:


  • Strict regulations that requires all companies/manufacturers to conduct research during development and test for toxicity of the new products. Data need to be published and get approval from EPA or FDA before it is released into the market.
  • Phasing out and banning out any chemical that is deem harmful and toxic.
  • Educating the public about how to read product labels and understand what those chemicals can do to our body and health.
  • Research and develop safer alternatives.
In a public health protection perspective, I think the requirement for companies/manufacturers t conduct research and test for toxicity of new product is a crucial step to preventing any harmful substance from getting into the market. For pharmaceutical companies, there are very strict regulations that requires many stages of clinical trials and usually take at least 15 years of research and studies before it reaches the FDA to get approval to introduce on the market. After the FDA do approve of the new drug, there is postmarking monitoring to make sure that there is no harmful adverse affects, if there is then it is taken off the market. I think all products that is sold in the market should follow the same procedure to ensure public safety.

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 19, 2018 at 6:50 PM

    Hi Feng,
    I think research is a very important factor that isn't normally discussed with the US chemical regulations. This is a great addition to an ideal chemical policy. Just like we want to educate the population on reading labels, it is also important to educate about reading product labels for harmful chemicals.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 19, 2018 at 7:18 PM

    I had no idea it takes at least 15 years for medication to be approved and introduced to the public. Although it does make sense for that to happen. I think you're right, there need to be more regulations for products containing specific toxic chemicals. They need to be treated in a similar way as pharmaceuticals because they are affecting human health as well.

    ReplyDelete

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