BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 324
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 324 (Bloom)
As Amended August 14, 2013
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(April 25, 2013 |SENATE: |37-0 |(August 19, |
| | |) | | |2013) |
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Original Committee Reference: E.S. & T.M.
SUMMARY : 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 and makes technical changes
to make this program consistent with other enforcement programs.
The Senate amendments :
1)Specify the testing methodology for arsenic and lead in glass
beads.
2)Authorize Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), upon
receiving a warrant or consent, to conduct enforcement
activities.
3)Require the DTSC, no later than January 1, 2019, to prepare an
evaluation of existing research and data to determine if the
standard of 75 parts per million (ppm) or more of arsenic or
100 ppm or more of lead is an appropriate standard for the use
of those substances with regard to the prohibitions specified
above, and to submit its findings to the Legislature.
EXISITNG LAW :
1)Prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, offering for
sale, or offering for promotional purposes glass beads that
contain 75 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)Requires that the weight percentage of arsenic and lead be
determined in accordance with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Method 3052, which may be modified, and with EPA
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Method 6010C, as those methods were in effect on January 1,
2010, or with a generally accepted instrumental method with
traceable standards, including X-ray fluorescence.
3)Sunsets the bill's provisions on lead and arsenic-containing
beads on January 1, 2015.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill extended 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
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "By extending the sunset on
AB 1930 [De La Torre, 2010], the Department of Toxic Substances
Control will continue to prohibit glass beads containing high
levels of hazardous heavy metals from being imported into and
used in California. This will ensure the safety of the
California environment, nearby residents, and industrial
employees otherwise at risk of exposure to these heavy metals."
Related uses of glass beads: Glass beads are used for a variety
of purposes, including as a reflective material for street
striping. However, this bill relates to standards only for
beads that will be used with pressure or suction blasting
equipment or wet-type or dry-type blasting equipment. According
to the sponsor, these types of applications include surface
preparation for cleaning, peening, finishing and deburring of
aluminum and stainless steel products. Glass beads are also
used to finish eye glass frames and for deburring and preparing
the surfaces of medical instruments, such as needles used on
syringes. Finally, glass beads are used to remove residues on
automotive parts and to remove calcium buildup at the water line
of swimming pools.
Recognized hazards of lead and arsenic: Lead is listed under
California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of
1986, commonly known as Proposition 65, as a substance that can
cause reproductive damage, birth defects and cancer.
Occupational overexposure to lead can cause subclinical and
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clinical peripheral neuropathy (muscle weakness, pain, and
paralysis of extremities), disruption of hemesynthesis and
anemia, loss of kidney function, increased blood pressure,
nephropathy, reduced sperm count and male sterility, and
increase the risk of cancer.
Arsenic in glass beads: According to DTSC, glass beads
containing lead and arsenic are a concern because the beads are
typically pulverized during use, which generates dust. Lead- or
arsenic-containing dust can be inhaled or ingested, thereby
exposing those performing the sandblasting, as well as other
people in the vicinity, to the toxic chemicals. In addition,
the dust can easily be disbursed onto land or into air and
water, potentially contaminating the surrounding environment and
ultimately harming people and wildlife.
Analysis Prepared by : Bob Fredenburg / E.S. & T.M. / (916)
319-3965
FN: 0001777