EnvironmentalCommittee
2009 2008 2007 2006 SFATF Environmental Mtg. 8/5/09, 1:30 -3:30 pm
1390 Market St., Suite 410 in the Children's Environmental Health Promotion, Environmental Health Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Attendees: Ann Togia, Cynthia Knowles, Rene Gonzalvez, Sabrina Adler, Ray Manion, Gloria Thornton, Karen Cohn.
1) Introductions and review minutes
· Minute f/u items:
o SF APT association article sent – collaborative process between PSR-LA & SFATF
o Awaiting f/u meeting with HA re: Bed bugs
o 7th generation does not classify product as a disinfectant because they haven’t run the tests required by EPA . More details needed. It would be helpful if they registered their product because we could then recommend it as a legal disinfectant. Currently, no safer disinfectants on the home market. Similar problem for childcare settings where products needs to be safe for asthma, an effective sanitizer, and approved for food service. Canada has peroxide products approved for food contact but not in the US. Karen will forward Cynthia emails from Region 9 Pesticide Unit.
o Cynthia/Karen identified gap in Green Chemistry reference lists and advocated for the inclusion of AOEC list.
2) Media updates:
· Karen will attend radio show tomorrow with Sylvia and Stephanie. Questions: What do you teach the patients about asthma? What do patients have problems with? What housing rights should they know? What housing problems do they come with? What do you teach them that is in their control? What do you teach them that is not in their control?
· Possible name for show: “The word on asthma” – based on past newsletter
· Possible issues for future sessions: Community members fear of attending SFGH and getting deported if they don’t have documentation. Lack of Samoan voice re: health issues.
3) Discussion about Bay Area Air Quality District Meetings
· General sense of community members voices being unheard. BAEHC members currently working to advocate for better Air District public relationships, focus on cumulative impacts, and prohibiting new permits in particular areas.
4) Results from Online Surveys and Bay View Queries
· Cynthia will email results. 34% of people have reaction to cleaning products. Pine Sol most popular, followed by Bleach and Oven Cleaners. AJAX and All Purpose Cleaners also frequently used.
5) Next Steps re: Policy
· Reviewed summary of previous minutes. New ideas: Target green businesses to get toxics off their shelves. Use previous connections (hardware stores such as Cole Hardware that have worked with DPH on other issues).
· Questions for retailers: How would it hurt your sales to drop x,y, & z products? Need to help direct consumers to alternatives within the store. Could be interpreted as refrain of trade.
· Budget approved Dept of Env to look at green marketed products
· Insufficient time to make decisions. Tabled for next meeting.
6) ASHH Quick Guide
· Reviewed Healthy Homes drafts
· Agreed to focus present work on creating a web page instead of printed document that may quickly become outdated
7) Closing and Upcoming meetings
· August 24th: Planning Committee. Focus on Media and KPOO sessions
· September 2nd.
o 30 minutes: Review slide show for SFAPT Assoc Sept 21st presentation
o 60 minutes: Use tree diagram to strategize policy steps to reduce local consumer exposure to toxic cleaning products
