BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 324
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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
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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