Statement

Coalition Removes Opposition to California Biomonitoring Legislation

Recent Amendments Lay Foundation for Sound Scientific Approach to Developing Research Program

ARLINGTON, VA (August 29, 2006) – A coalition representing many of the state’s major employers has removed its opposition to Senate Bill 1379 (Perata), legislation that would establish a statewide biomonitoring program in California, based on the adoption of amendments addressing longstanding concerns about the need for science-based policies. 

“For the past three years, we have indicated our support for scientifically sound biomonitoring research” said Tim Shestek, spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, one of many trade associations that had opposed SB 1379.   “Many of the concerns we expressed on previous biomonitoring legislative efforts were underscored by the National Research Council’s 2006 Report Human Biomonitoring for Environmental Chemicals.   We encourage California to consider the recommendations in this report as guiding principles for the design, conduct, risk-based interpretation and communication of California’s biomonitoring studies undertaken as a result of this legislation.”

Amendments adopted in the Assembly lay the foundation for a science-based biomonitoring program by:

• clearly stating the program’s research objectives;
• ensuring that participants are drawn from a statistically valid, representative sample population;
• providing a formalized structure and processes to ensure studies are designed and conducted to meet necessary and exacting scientific standards;
• specifying that data is communicated in a responsible and accurate and ethical manner; and
• establishing an advisory panel consisting of qualified experts in appropriate scientific disciplines to serve as a peer review panel for program materials and to develop recommendations to strengthen the program. 

Biomonitoring data can be very useful in understanding the extent to which people have been exposed to particular substances and in providing guidance for additional research.  However, the data must be taken in context because biomonitoring data don’t provide information about (1) the source(s) of an exposure, (2) how long a substance has been in the body or (3) what effect, if any, a substance may have on human health. 

Organizations that have formally removed their opposition to SB 1379 to date include the American Chemistry Council, California Farm Bureau Federation, California Independent Oil Marketers Association, California Manufacturers and Technology Association, Chemical Industry Council of California, Consumer Specialty Products Association, IPC- The Association Connecting Electronics Industries, Styrene Information Research Council, Western Growers, and the Western States Petroleum Association.

Learn more about biomonitoring.