Pollution Prevention Links

Community Toxics and Pollution Prevention Information

• Cleaning Products and Work-Related Asthma fact sheet (California Department of Public Health)
  This fact sheet summarizes information about how to prevent work-related asthma and other health effects from the use of cleaning products. Reducing exposure to harmful chemicals found in cleaning products is particularly important since cleaning products are used in places like schools, hospitals, and restaurants--places where everyone, including children, can be affected by exposure.

• The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
• The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition effort to protect the health of consumers and workers by securing the corporate, regulatory and legislative reforms necessary to eliminate dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products. Learn about categories of products of particular concern, plus look up safety rankings of the products you use with Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database.
• Disinfectant Overkill: How Too Clean Can Be Hazardous to Our Health
• This report links the overuse of disinfectant chemicals with chronic health impacts such as asthma, hormone imbalance, and immune system problems. Read this report to learn about safer alternatives to disinfectants (Women’s Voices for the Earth, 2009).
• Association between high PBDE (flame retardant) levels and fertility (Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(5) May 2010)
• SFDPH Pollution Prevention Newsletter, April 2010 (pdf)

Technical Assistance and Pollution Prevention Resources

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
ATSDR is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. This extensive website also includes information on specific chemical substances.

Green Business Program Resource
The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) developed this resource to allow for individuals, programs or agencies to familiarize themselves with various green business certification programs across the nation. Through this resource, you can learn what it takes to develop a green business certification program. It also serves as an information hub for those individuals, programs or agencies that would like to learn about green certification programs. The format of this resource is structured to help you easily access information related to popular green business certification programs throughout the nation. There is a link to a Green Business Certification webinar that was hosted by WSPPN in December 2008, which focused on how to develop a green business certification program in your area.

Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS)

HESIS is a program in the California Department of Public Health that uses scientific, medical and public health expertise to help prevent workplace illness and disease. HESIS identifies and evaluates new and unappreciated workplace chemical hazards; evaluates complex scientific information on potential hazards to determine what it means for people in real work situations; develops practical information and health alerts on chemical hazards for workers and employers; works with unions, employer groups, and others to distribute vital hazard information about workers at risk; and recommends protective occupational health standards.

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
This organization provides a national forum for promoting the development, implementation and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate or reduce pollution at the source.

Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx)
This consortium of eight regional pollution prevention information centers provide information, networking opportunities and other services to states, local governments and technical assistance providers.

Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN)
WSPPN is an interactive information exchange network designed to bring you up to date information on pollution prevention/source reduction.

Institute for Research and Technical Assistance
IRTA is a nonprofit organization that develops, demonstrates and evaluates new materials and processes in specific applications and industries including cleaning, paint stripping, coating, dry cleaning and adhesives. Fact sheets and reports on IRTA’s work are available on their website. IRTA works with industry and government towards a common goal: implementing sensible environmental policies which allow businesses to remain competitive while protecting and improving our environment.

BAAQMD Regulatory Compliance Tips

Air Resources Board Dry Cleaning Program
This site contains information related to California's dry cleaning regulations.

Department of Toxic Substances Control Auto Body and Paint Shops Project
The pollution prevention strategies and best management practices listed on this website can help you comply with environmental regulations by reducing smog forming air emissions, reducing and properly managing hazardous waste, and eliminating contaminated storm water releases.  Implementing these practices can help save labor, materials and hazardous waste disposal costs, and reduce the potential for environmental violations and fines.

Department of Toxic Substances Control Vehicle Service and Repair Program
If you operate an auto repair shop or fleet maintenance facility, there are opportunities to save money, conserve resources, reduce emissions, possibly reduce permitting fees, and help meet compliance with environmental rules by making simple changes in your shop practices. This website has fact sheets about typical hazardous wastes and training modules on how to use P2 alternatives to reduce waste and pollution, a directory of P2 products and services, a list of local assistance contacts, and information about special programs.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Links

Build It Green’s Green Product Directory allows users to conveniently locate suppliers of green building products within the 9-County San Francisco Bay Area or City of Anaheim. Listed products must meet criteria for energy efficiency, resource conservation, water conservation, or indoor environmental quality consistent with measures referenced in various Green Building Guidelines. Build It Green is a nonprofit organization.

EPEAT is a system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer monitors. EPEAT is a nonprofit organization. Visit the EPEAT website to view and select registered products available in your area.

GoodGuide is a source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of consumer/household products. The guide is designed to help you find better products that represent your values, avoid products that are harmful to your health, the environment, or society – and enable you to make purchasing choices to help improve the world.

Green Seal is a third party certification for a variety of products and companies, from coffee filters to floor cleaners to air chillers, with a focus on pollution prevention and conservation. Green Seal identifies a product as environmentally preferable, provides third-party corroboration of environmental claims, and distinguishes a product from competitors that can't support their environmental assertions.

Household Products Database was developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services. It provides health and safety information on products used for maintenance, auto repair, maritime and other household and small business needs.

Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) provides product listing and purchasing guidelines for buyers dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable procurement. They provide institutional purchasers with cutting edge procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. 

SF Approved List was developed by the San Francisco Department of Environment (SFE) to share authoritative green purchasing information. It includes a wide range of products that meet San Francisco's health and environmental requirements. The website is a reference for City government purchasers and may also be used by the public. To create the list, SFE reviews product ingredients, recycled content, energy efficiency, product reviews from City staff, and more.