GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

H                                                                                                                                                   2

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2015*

Committee Substitute Favorable 6/24/10

Sponsors:

Referred to:

May 26, 2010

A JOINT RESOLUTION authorizing the environmental review commission to study the impact of environmental toxins and chemicals on human health.

Whereas, the United States Senate and House of Representatives have introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 to ensure that health risks from chemicals are adequately understood and managed; and

Whereas, awareness and understanding of the complexity of the environmental impacts on human health are still growing; and

Whereas, environmental factors have been implicated in the onset and exacerbation of numerous chronic and acute health problems such as diabetes, infertility, and kidney disease; and

Whereas, there are growing suspicions in the scientific community that one of the causes of the growing epidemic of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be toxins in the environment; and

Whereas, a growing number of studies indicate a strong link between environmental exposures and cancer; and

Whereas, these diseases and disorders occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups; and

Whereas, the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and disorders place a huge financial burden on families, health insurers, and public assistance programs; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health and Human Services, may study the impact of environmental toxins and chemicals on human health and report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the General Assembly no later than the convening of the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly. In the conduct of this study, the Commission shall:

(1)        Survey legislation enacted in other states that bans or limits the use of environmental toxins and chemicals and assess the effectiveness of such legislation.

(2)        Survey how other states have established entities within state government to review and regulate environmental toxins and chemicals that have been or will be introduced into the stream of commerce.

(3)        Review incentives that have been proposed or enacted in other states that promote the growth of the green chemistry industry, including an analysis of documented environmental, public health, and economic benefits, including job creation, in those states.

(4)        Identify current State and federal programs for the review and regulation of environmental toxins and chemicals and recommend any supplementary programs the Commission determines to be necessary for the protection of human health.

(5)        Conduct a cost-benefit and economic impact analysis for any recommendation made pursuant to this act.

SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.