BILL ANALYSIS
SB 624
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 21, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Wesley Chesbro, Chair
SB 624 (Romero) - As Amended: May 19, 2010
SENATE VOTE : 36-0
SUBJECT : State rock
SUMMARY : Removes serpentine as the state rock and declares that
serpentine rock contains a known carcinogen that increases the
risk of the cancer mesothelioma in humans.
EXISTING LAW establishes serpentine as the official state rock
and lithologic emblem.
THIS BILL:
1)Declares that serpentine contains chrysotile asbestos and that
exposure to it increases the risk of the cancer mesothelioma.
2)Declares that California has the highest rate of
mesothelioma-related deaths in the nation.
3)Declares that California should not designate serpentine as
the state rock due to its known toxic health effects.
4)Declares intent to remove serpentine as the official state
rock and provide a suitable replacement.
5)Removes serpentine as the official state rock and lithologic
emblem of and replaces "serpentine" with a blank.
FISCAL EFFECT : Non-fiscal
COMMENTS :
Background
California has the widest variety of rock types of any state.
In 1965, California was the first state to designate a state
rock when it made serpentine its official state rock and
lithologic emblem with the passage of AB 265 (Gibson), Chapter
963, Statues of 1965. Serpentine is a metamorphic rock
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composed of common rock-forming hydrous magnesium iron
phyllosilicate ((Mg, Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4) minerals that may contain
other elements including chromium, manganese, cobalt and
nickel. Serpentine is formed via the hydration and
metamorphic transformation of ultrafamic rock from the earth's
mantle, which occurs at tectonic plate boundaries. In
addition to serpentine's mining significance in California, UC
Davis Geology Professor Emeritus Dr. Eldridge Moores describes
serpentine soils often being associated with gold mineral
deposits in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range
and therefore a part of California's gold rush history.
Serpentine rock and soils are widespread within California.
Many rare plant species are limited to serpentine environments
including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Some of these
rare ecosystems and plant communities are unique to California
and are known world-wide for their presence here. Dr. Moores
also indicates that serpentine soils are also known to have the
ability to chemically fix carbon dioxide (CO2) into the solid
mineral magnesium carbonate. Due to this ability, serpentines
are increasingly considered for their carbon sequestration
abilities as California and the United States consider the
accumulation of greenhouse gases in the mitigation of global
warming. Approximately 20 kinds of serpentine exist, but the
three most common types of serpentine are antigorite, chrysotile
and lizardite, which are used in a variety of applications
including construction, art, jewelery, and textiles.
Chrysotile serpentine, also known as white asbestos, is the most
common form of asbestos. Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. Chrysotile asbestos
has been heavily used in past years as a thermal and electrical
insulator material due to its flame-retardant and chemical
resistant properties. Commonly found in a fibrous form,
chrysotile asbestos is also flexible and strong, adding to its
appeal as a construction material. The word "asbestos" is of
Greek origin meaning "indestructible." Asbestos fibers can be
released during serpentine rock excavation, and can be
continually released if it has been used as a flooring or road
surface. Once asbestos has been made into an insulating form,
it will not necessarily release fibers into the air unless it is
disturbed. Amphibole serpentine is another type of asbestos
which is commonly associated with detrimental health effects
including cancer and asbestosis.
Asbestos has a long history of being hazardous to human health.
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During the 1st century AD, Greek and Roman populations
observed that slaves responsible for weaving textiles
containing asbestos fibers often demonstrated pulmonary
illnesses. In the late 19th century in the midst of
industrialization, health problems associated with the
manufacturing with asbestos were observed in both Great
Britain and France. The author's office provided a 2006
scientific review of malignant mesothelioma mortality in the
United States from 1999 to 2001, published in the
International Journal of Occupational Environmental Health as
background material. Malignant mesothelioma is often
associated with, but not limited to, the human lung area, or
pleura. Examining 7,524 cases of the cancer via death
certificates, the study found that, among other findings, that
persons including plumbers, pipefitters, mechanical engineers,
ship and boat builders/repairers, and industrial chemical
workers had a significantly elevated proportional mortality
ratio (PMR) for malignant mesothelioma. The PMR represents
the number of deaths from a specific cause in a specific
period of time per 100 deaths from all causes in the same
time. In its conclusions, the study indicates that it was not
able to make a definitive conclusion regarding the
relationship of the mesothelioma to that of asbestos or other
mineral fibers because that information was not included in
the death certificates. Malignant mesothelioma can be caused
by a variety of factors in the absence of asbestos exposure,
however there is a wealth of epidemiological research that
indicates that amphobile asbestos exposure can significantly
increase the risk of malignant mesothelioma.
The last operational Californian asbestos mine was closed in
2002.
Legislative history
AB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 2, Statues of 1965, established
serpentine as the official state rock and lithologic emblem of
the state of California. The bill was unanimously passed
through the state Senate and signed by Governor Edmund "Pat"
Brown possibly in order to encourage the state's asbestos mining
industry at the time.
SB 1678 (Gregorio), Chapter 1067, Statutes of 1976, established
the Occupational Carcinogen Control Act of 1976, establishing
California as the first state to actively inspect for
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carcinogens in the workplace. The Act established that use in
the workplace of any of sixteen known carcinogens, including
asbestos, be reported to the state.
In October, 2009, the Manhattan Beach City Council passed
Resolution 6223 which urged "the state legislature to repeal the
designation of serpentine, the host of asbestos, as the official
state rock, in support of world eradication of asbestos for
public health as urged by the Asbestos Disease Awareness
Organization" (ADAO) as a part of its "Drop the Rock" campaign.
Committee amendments
Since particulate matter from most rocks may cause lung and
other health risks when disturbed and mined from their
environments the author and committee may wish to amend SB 624
to simply repeal the section designating a state rock and not
seek a replacement state rock.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Belkin International, Inc.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
City of Manhattan Beach
Consumer Attorneys of California
Environmental Information Association
International Brotherhood of Ironworkers Local 433
International Union of Operating Engineers
The John McNamara Foundation
Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Veterans of America
Water, Kraus & Paul Attorneys and Counselors
13 individuals
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Jessica Westbrook / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092
SB 624
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