Hazardous materials: toxic substances.

Existing law establishes the Department of Toxic Substances Control, in the California Environmental Protection Agency, with powers and duties regarding, among other things, hazardous waste disposal, underground storage of hazardous substances and waste, and the handling and release of hazardous materials. Under existing law, the department is required to establish a Toxics Information Clearinghouse for the collection, maintenance, and distribution of specific chemical hazard trait and environmental and toxicological end–point data. Existing law requires the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, by January 1, 2011, to evaluate and specify the hazard traits and environmental and toxicological end points and any other relevant data that are to be included in the clearinghouse and authorizes the office, in implementing this provision, to seek information from other states, the federal government, and other nations. This bill would additionally authorize the office to recommend procedures for expediting the review and identification of hazard traits, including pending and proposed actions by other states, the federal government, and other nations to limit hazardous materials in products.