BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 324 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 17, 2013 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 324 (Bloom) - As Introduced: February 13, 2013 Policy Committee: Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Vote: 6-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No. SUMMARY This bill extends the sunset date from January 1, 2015 to January 1, 2020 on the prohibition on the manufacture or sale of glass beads containing hazardous heavy metals if the beads will be used with blasting equipment. Specifically, this bill extends the following provisions: 1)Prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, or offering for promotional purposes glass beads that contain 75 parts per million (ppm) or more of arsenic or 100 ppm or more of lead by weight, if those glass beads will be used with pressure, suction, or wet- or dry-type blasting equipment. 2) Specifies testing methodology for arsenic and lead in glass beads. 3)Specifies labeling requirements for containers and bags of glass beads sold in this state for specified purposes; 4)Provides that the statutory regulation of glass beads does not exempt glass beads from further regulation under the Green Chemistry statute. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible costs to the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC). AB 324 Page 2 COMMENTS 1)Background. Lead is listed under California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65), as a substance that can cause reproductive damage, birth defects and cancer among other serious illnesses. Arsenic is also listed under Proposition 65 as a chemical known to the state to cause cancer and to cause reproductive toxicity. Non-cancer effects of arsenic exposure include thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea; numbness in hands and feet; partial paralysis; and blindness. Glass beads are pulverized by blasting equipment when they are used to treat swimming pool surfaces and to clean the metal surfaces of medical equipment, aircraft, and automotive parts. The resulting dust can be inhaled by employees, or cause environmental contamination. 2)Purpose . By extending the sunset, DTSC will continue to prohibit glass beads containing high levels of hazardous heavy metals from being imported and used in California. 3)Green Chemistry Initiative. This statute is separate from the Safer Consumer Product Regulation (green chemistry initiative) at DTSC. The green chemistry initiative was established to reduce public exposure through the regulation of unsafe chemicals. Further regulation of glass beads under the green chemistry initiative is permitted. DTSC will be developing a list of priority products later this year to run through the regulatory process. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081