Hazardous Materials Data - - CA Health And Safety

Section § 25410

This law highlights the presence of hazardous materials in California, which pose serious health risks due to possible exposure from various incidents like fires or spills. It stresses the importance of the public's right to be informed about hazardous materials in their communities to better prepare for potential exposure.

The section also points out that currently there is a lack of essential information regarding the location and dangers of these materials, making it difficult for key groups like firefighters and health officials to effectively protect public safety.

It further criticizes the existing database systems for being ineffective in sharing critical hazardous material information among necessary state and local agencies.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) Hazardous materials, including hazardous substances and hazardous wastes, are present in the state and pose acute and chronic health risks to individuals who live and work in this state, and who are exposed to these substances as a result of fires, spills, industrial accidents, or other types of releases or emissions.

(b) The people who live and work in this state have a right and a need to know of the use and dangers of hazardous materials in their communities in order to plan for, and respond to, potential exposure to these materials.

(c) Basic information on the location, type, characteristics, and health risks of hazardous materials used, stored, or disposed of in the state is not currently available to firefighters, health officials, planners, elected officials, and residents. There are gaps in the information collected and the data is stored in various formats, thereby limiting its effective use to protect the public health and safety.

(d) Existing state data base computer systems are not capable of effectively exchanging hazardous material information nor are they accessible to state and local agencies which have a need for the information.

hazardous materials health risks public safety community awareness information gaps firefighters health officials database systems information sharing emergency planning spill response industrial accidents data accessibility exposure risks material storage

(Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1559, Sec. 1. Effective October 2, 1985.)

Section § 25411

This law section defines key terms related to hazardous materials. 'Handle' means doing anything with hazardous materials like using, producing, or disposing of them. 'Hazardous material' refers to certain dangerous substances listed in specific regulations or those determined by a director to pose a significant risk due to their characteristics. 'Release' involves any way these materials might enter the environment, such as through spilling or leaking.

As used in this chapter:

(a) “Handle” means to use, generate, process, produce, package, treat, store, or dispose of a hazardous material in any fashion.

(b) “Hazardous material” means any of the following materials:

(1) A material listed in subdivision (b) of Section 6382 of the Labor Code.

(2) A material defined in Section 25115, 25117, or subdivision (a) of Section 78075.

(3) Any other material which the director determines, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the community.

(c) “Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment.

hazardous material definition handling hazardous materials environmental release hazardous material regulations hazardous substance characteristics hazard risks safety hazards environmental safety hazardous material disposal spill and leak management material concentration risks chemical hazard classification environmental contamination toxic material handling human health risk

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 258, Sec. 96. (AB 2327) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 130 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 258. Note: See this section as modified on July 17, 1991, in Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1991.)

Section § 25416

This law section outlines how studies and information programs related to health effects from exposure to hazardous materials should be conducted. The key points are: such studies or programs will only proceed if specific conditions are met, like available funding. The Department of Health is responsible for overseeing studies and can conduct them on their own or through a contract. Priority goes to areas with significant exposure risks, especially near major hazardous waste sites. Local health officers can request the department to initiate studies if there's strong evidence of exposure risks, and they need a response within 90 days.

The law also mandates community programs to educate and inform about hazardous material exposure, targeting high-risk groups, creating awareness among health professionals, and hosting public forums. This doesn't apply to sites under the EPA's lead. In some counties, if they impose a tax related to hazardous waste facilities, they may be required to fund these initiatives themselves, though exceptions can be made if the county's potential revenue is insufficient.

The department uses state funds from specific accounts to carry out these programs, subject to legislative approval.

(a) All studies and community information programs conducted pursuant to this section shall be done only if either subdivision (b) applies or if funds are available without restructuring the department’s funding priorities. The department shall conduct these studies and information programs in the following manner:

(1) The department shall, except as provided in subdivision (b), and in conjunction with the local health officer, the State Department of Health Services, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, conduct or contract for epidemiological studies to identify and monitor health effects related to exposure to hazardous materials, as defined in Section 66084 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. A study may be conducted in any area of the state identified by the department or the local health officer as a site of potential exposure to hazardous materials, including, but not limited to, any of the following areas:

(A) All communities located near hazardous waste disposal facilities.

(B) In all communities containing hazardous substance release sites listed pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78760) of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 45 or listed pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et seq.).

(D) In all other areas identified by local health officers or the State Department of Health Services as possible locations of public exposure to hazardous materials.

(2) The department, in consultation with the State Department of Health Services and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, shall determine which epidemiological studies are to be conducted pursuant to this section based on the potential for public exposure to hazardous materials. Studies in areas near Class I hazardous waste disposal facilities, as defined in Section 2531 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, shall be given the highest priority for funding. If a hearing is conducted pursuant to Section 25149 and the hearing officer determines that there is a significant potential for endangerment to the public as a result of the suspected or actual release of a hazardous material, the department shall give priority to conducting an epidemiological study for that facility.

(3) If a local health officer determines that a study should be conducted pursuant to this section because of a potential public exposure to hazardous materials, the local health officer may request that the department initiate or contract for a study pursuant to this section by demonstrating to the department that there is sufficient evidence that justifies the need for a study. The department shall respond to the local health officer’s request within 90 days.

(4) A local health officer may contract with qualified persons or firms to produce the epidemiological studies specified in paragraph (1).

(5) The design and methodology of any study conducted pursuant to this section shall be reviewed and approved by the department, the State Department of Health Services, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment prior to the initiation of the study.

(6) In any county in which hazardous waste disposal facilities are located and in all other counties in which the State Department of Health Services identifies significant actual or potential public exposure to hazardous materials, the department shall, in conjunction with the local health officer, conduct or contract for a community information program with respect to sites of potential exposure to hazardous materials identified under paragraph (1) to do all of the following:

(A) Organize and conduct educational programs for local physicians and other health professionals on the effects of exposure to hazardous materials and reporting requirements.

(B) Disseminate information to high risk populations on the health effects of exposure to hazardous materials.

(7) Paragraph (6) does not apply to hazardous substance release sites listed on the National Priorities List for which the Environmental Protection Agency has assumed lead responsibility for community relations.

(b) If a county is authorized to impose a license tax pursuant to Section 25149.5 for revenue purposes, the department may require the county to provide funding for carrying out epidemiological studies or the community information program concerning the hazardous waste facility subject to the license tax. The department shall provide the county with technical assistance to conduct an epidemiological study pursuant to this subdivision. The department may exempt a county from the requirements of this subdivision if the county demonstrates to the department that the revenue potential from the facility would not be adequate to conduct an epidemiological study or community information program. When considering a county request for an exemption, the department shall consider the regulatory costs and responsibilities of the county related to that facility.

(c) The department shall expend funds from the Toxic Substances Control Account, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to conduct studies and community information programs in counties containing a hazardous substance release site listed pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78760) of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 45. The department shall expend funds from the Hazardous Waste Control Account, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to conduct all other studies and community information programs conducted pursuant to this section, except as provided in subdivision (b).

hazardous materials epidemiological studies health effects community information programs exposure risks local health officer hazardous waste sites public forums state funding educational programs high-risk populations EPA responsibility license tax county funding public health education

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 258, Sec. 97. (AB 2327) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 130 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 258.)

Section § 25417

This law mandates that a department publishes and distributes a consumer information booklet to the public. They may charge a fee to cover costs like publication and distribution. This fee also helps manage ongoing inquiries from the public about the booklet's contents.

The department shall publish the consumer information booklet described in Section 10084.1 of the Business and Professions Code and distribute the booklet to the public, upon request. The department may charge a fee for the booklet to defray the publication, mailing, distribution, and administrative costs necessary to implement this section and its ongoing administrative costs resulting from inquiries by the public about the contents of the booklet.

consumer information booklet publishing distribution public requests fee for booklet cover publication costs mailing costs distribution costs administrative costs public inquiries consumer education public access request fulfillment cost defrayal ongoing administrative costs

(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 969, Sec. 3.)

Section § 25417.1

This law requires the department to publish an updated consumer information booklet. The booklet must substantially comply with federal rules for safely managing lead and radon gas in housing. It should be available to the public by the time a specific report is submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

The department shall publish a new edition of the consumer information booklet described in Section 10084.1 of the Business and Professions Code. The booklet shall, among other things, be in substantial compliance with the federal disclosure requirements regarding the safe management of lead and radon gas in housing, and shall be made available to the public on or before the date on which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development submits to Congress the report required pursuant to subpart (B) of subdivision (d) of Section 4822 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

consumer information booklet lead safety radon gas management housing information federal disclosure requirements safe management public availability federal compliance lead in housing radon in homes home safety information Department of Housing Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Title 42 of the United States Code federal housing report

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 264, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)