California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Encyclopedia
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, commonly referred to as OEHHA , is a specialized department within the cabinet-level California Environmental Protection Agency
(Cal/EPA) with responsibility for evaluating health risks from environmental chemical contaminants.
OEHHA is the scientific adviser within Cal/EPA and provides the health effects assessments that assist regulatory decision makers within Cal/EPA, the California Department of Public Health
, and other agencies and non-governmental organizations (see below). This includes assessing health and environmental risks from:
proposed to "eliminate and transfer the functions" of OEHHA (and other agencies) as part his May Revise for the 2009-2010 budget. Details about the transfer of functions including mandates, funding, staff resources, and new head agency are limited. Elimination of OEHHA will have a very minor impact on the budget problems because of several reasons: (1) OEHHA's budget is very small (1/500th of 1% of the General Fund, or 1/50,000th) compared to the state deficit; $8.3 million of OEHHA's budget is general fund (2) about half of OEHHA's budget is funded by special funds (e.g. Proposition 65, Biomonitoring) (3) state mandates that transfer to other agencies or departments will still require funding.
By an executive order from the Governor in February 2009, all state workers are on a two day a month furlough
, or two days off without pay, equivalent to a 10% pay cut. On May 28, 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
proposed an additional 5% pay cut for all state workers (without an adjustment to the number of days worked), resulting a total pay cut of 15%; this additional cut must be approved by the legislature.
, the U.S. and from the following nations: Canada
, Mexico
, UK, Italy
, France
, Germany
, Finland
, Norway
, Switzerland
, Netherlands
, Greece
, Malta
, Brazil
, Chile
, Japan
, Taiwan
, Korea
, New Zealand
, Australia
, Belgium
, and Albania
.
On June 2, 2009 articles and editorials/opinions were published in the Los Angeles Times
, Sacramento Bee, California Progress Report, SFGate and others that speak to the importance of OEHHA and further explain how cutting OEHHA would not save a significant source of funding. These timely articles coincide with the California Budget Conference Committee hearings, with public testimony, that occurred on the afternoon of June 2, 2009.
Speakers in support of OEHHA included:
On June 11, 2009 the second hearing for the Budget Conference committee was convened. OEHHA's item number was 3980 on the Agenda and included the recommendation from the Senate Environmental Quality Committee (below) to keep OEHHA intact and add risk assessment and hazard evaluation functions from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control
. When OEHHA's item came up, Assemblymember Nielsen requested more time to review the proposal. The committee decided to postpone the discussion and action of the OEHHA item, but did not say when the committee would revisit the OEHHA budget proposal.
On June 15, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee voted 6-4 along party lines to approve funding OEHHA's entire budget with fee- and penalty-based special funds. The conference committee's plan will be considered by the full Assembly and Senate as part of the budget package. The final ruling on OEHHA will not be available until after the budget is passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor
. As of June 25, 2009, it does not appear that the Democratic budget plan will be passed.
’s hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in the children’s health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Budget Conference Committee.
Public testimony and discussion on behalf of OEHHA continued for over an hour and included 16 people who spoke in favor of keeping OEHHA intact. Two others spoke in opposition to transferring Department Pesticide Regulation’s risk assessment activities to OEHHA, but neither of them commented on the larger issue of OEHHA's future. The vote was 3-2. Senator Ashburn voted against the expansion recommendation but also said, “The expertise that resides in OEHHA ought not to be dissipated throughout state government as the Governor proposes.”
Speakers in support of OEHHA included:
Speakers against expansion of OEHHA:
1. OEHHA's groundbreaking work that showed that chromium in drinking water causes cancer; this issue was publicized in the movie Erin Brockovich
.
2. OEHHA's research was critical in passing legislation to ban toxic phthalates from children's toys in California.
3. OEHHA was the first agency to identify second-hand tobacco smoke as a causal factor in breast cancer in young women.
4. California's ban on two widely-used toxic flame retardants was supported by OEHHA’s research. The California ban led to these chemicals being phased out in the United States.
5. In the face of strong opposition, OEHHA was the first government agency to establish that diesel exhaust causes cancer and induces asthma in children. OEHHA's work has led to stringent new controls on this widespread pollutant.
6. OEHHA has compiled the most comprehensive list in the world of chemicals that cause cancer, infertility, birth defects (known as the Proposition 65 list). Governments throughout the world rely on this list to regulate toxic chemicals. Manufacturers of consumer products use the list to design safer consumer products.
7. With OEHHA's ongoing support, the California Attorney General has led the way in removing lead from consumer products including venetian blinds, children’s toys and jewelry, tableware, water faucets and ceramics. Other California success stories include reducing the use of toxic pesticides in flea collars and no-pest strips and removal of a cancer-causing chemical from office supplies.
8. OEHHA maintains a list of hazardous arts and crafts supplies that contain toxic substances which pose health dangers to children. California elementary schools are prohibited from purchasing these materials. OEHHA also provides advice on the selection and use of safer art supplies.
9. OEHHA's research contributed to the phase-out of a toxic gasoline additive (MTBE) that contaminated groundwater throughout California.
10. California was the first state to regulate a rocket fuel component which widely contaminates drinking water and produce including lettuce. OEHHA's research provided the basis for this drinking water standard.
The Scientific Affairs division is composed of four scientific branches that correspond to the scientific duties:
on July 17, 1991 with the creation of Cal/EPA. OEHHA originated in the 1950s for air epidemiology in the Department of Public Health and developed over time with increased public awareness of the environment. OEHHA is the smallest of the six boards, departments and offices within Cal/EPA. OEHHA has no regulatory authority but remains the risk assessment and scientific arm of Cal/EPA and provides health-protective scientific guidance for Cal/EPA. Additionally, OEHHA is the lead agency for Proposition 65 implementation, a ballot measure approved in 1986, titled The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
The highly experienced team of experts is well respected in the scientific community and has been built up over more than twenty years. The quality and depth of OEHHA’s commitment to public health, the environment and sound science is illustrated by the scientific quality of the risk assessments produced.
OEHHA is headquartered in the Cal/EPA building in Sacramento and has an office in the Oakland Elihu Harris State Building. Before the state building was built, the Oakland office used to be located across from the University of California, Berkeley
; OEHHA has maintained academic ties with this institution.
California Environmental Protection Agency
The California Environmental Protection Agency is a state cabinet-level agency within the government of California. Cal/EPA is composed of six departments, boards and offices responsible for environmental research, regulating and administering the state's environmental protection programs, and...
(Cal/EPA) with responsibility for evaluating health risks from environmental chemical contaminants.
OEHHA is the scientific adviser within Cal/EPA and provides the health effects assessments that assist regulatory decision makers within Cal/EPA, the California Department of Public Health
California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health is the state department responsible for public health in California. It is a subdivision of the California Health and Human Services Agency...
, and other agencies and non-governmental organizations (see below). This includes assessing health and environmental risks from:
- Carcinogens
- Reproductive toxins
- Air pollutants
- Pesticides
- Chemical contaminants in food and water
- Chemical exposures in the workplace
- Climate changeClimate changeClimate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
in California
In the news
In May 2009, Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
proposed to "eliminate and transfer the functions" of OEHHA (and other agencies) as part his May Revise for the 2009-2010 budget. Details about the transfer of functions including mandates, funding, staff resources, and new head agency are limited. Elimination of OEHHA will have a very minor impact on the budget problems because of several reasons: (1) OEHHA's budget is very small (1/500th of 1% of the General Fund, or 1/50,000th) compared to the state deficit; $8.3 million of OEHHA's budget is general fund (2) about half of OEHHA's budget is funded by special funds (e.g. Proposition 65, Biomonitoring) (3) state mandates that transfer to other agencies or departments will still require funding.
By an executive order from the Governor in February 2009, all state workers are on a two day a month furlough
Furlough
In the United States a furlough is a temporary unpaid leave of some employees due to special needs of a company, which may be due to economic conditions at the specific employer or in the economy as a whole...
, or two days off without pay, equivalent to a 10% pay cut. On May 28, 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
proposed an additional 5% pay cut for all state workers (without an adjustment to the number of days worked), resulting a total pay cut of 15%; this additional cut must be approved by the legislature.
Press
Many have questioned the Governor's motivation for cutting OEHHA. Some have proposed this cut was spearheaded by industries who have been in conflict with OEHHA and several industries have been proposed as "suspects." An international petition to save OEHHA, titled "Doctors and Scientists for Environmental Health", has also been circulating and has over 200 signatures from CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the U.S. and from the following nations: Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, UK, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
.
On June 2, 2009 articles and editorials/opinions were published in the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, Sacramento Bee, California Progress Report, SFGate and others that speak to the importance of OEHHA and further explain how cutting OEHHA would not save a significant source of funding. These timely articles coincide with the California Budget Conference Committee hearings, with public testimony, that occurred on the afternoon of June 2, 2009.
Budget Conference Committee Hearing
On June 2, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee convened a hearing for public comment on the Governor's budget proposal. The hearing is archived on video, the testimony on behalf of OEHHA begins at 3:49:11 The supporters of OEHHA proposed and alternative to keep OEHHA intact and save $8.3 million, OEHHA's general fund budget. The proposal includes alternative funding sources and also expands OEHHA with the addition of Department Pesticide Regulation’s risk assessment activities, Department of Toxic Substances Control’s hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in the children’s health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The main argument against the Governor's proposal is that the science performed in OEHHA should be independent of policy decisions made by the other boards and departments of Cal/EPA. Further, in the governor's proposal, many of OEHHA's programs would be dropped entirely (e.g. the Public Health Goals for drinking water contaminants).Speakers in support of OEHHA included:
- Gina Solomon, MD, Natural Resources Defense CouncilNatural Resources Defense CouncilThe Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
senior scientist and UCSF faculty - John Froines, Ph.D., UCLA School of Public HealthUCLA School of Public HealthThe UCLA School of Public Health is the graduate school of public health affiliated with UCLA, and is located within the Center for Health Sciences building on the UCLA campus. UCLA is located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The dean of the school is Linda Rosenstock, MD,...
- John Balmes, MD, UCSF and UC Berkeley faculty, Director of UC Berkeley Northern California Center for Occupational Health
- Janice Kim, MD, Ph.D., MPH, representing American Academy of PediatricsAmerican Academy of PediatricsThe American Academy of Pediatrics is the major professional association of pediatricians in the United States. The AAP was founded in 1930 by 35 pediatricians to address pediatric healthcare standards. It currently has 60,000 members in primary care and sub-specialist areas...
- Julia Quint, Ph.D., retired chief of Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service of the California Department of Public HealthCalifornia Department of Public HealthThe California Department of Public Health is the state department responsible for public health in California. It is a subdivision of the California Health and Human Services Agency...
- Martha Guzman Aceves, MS, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation
- Suzanne Murphy, Executive Director of Worksafe
- David Chatfield, Executive Director of Californians for Pesticide Reform
- Bill Magavern, JD, Director of Sierra ClubSierra ClubThe Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
California - Renee Sharp, MS, Environmental Working GroupEnvironmental Working GroupThe Environmental Working Group is an American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability...
- Bill Allayaud, MRP, Director of Government Affairs for Environmental Working GroupEnvironmental Working GroupThe Environmental Working Group is an American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability...
- Bonnie Holmes-Gen, Senior Policy Director, American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung AssociationThe American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.-History:...
- Kyle Gardner, Center for Environmental Health
- Donne Brownsey, JD, Breast Cancer Fund
- Amy Kyle, Ph.D., MPH, UC Berkeley School of Public HealthUC Berkeley School of Public HealthThe Berkeley School of Public Health is one of the schools located at University of California, Berkeley. Established in 1943, the institution was the first school of public health west of the Mississippi River...
faculty - Ann Notthoff, MCRP, California Advocacy Director, Natural Resources Defense CouncilNatural Resources Defense CouncilThe Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
On June 11, 2009 the second hearing for the Budget Conference committee was convened. OEHHA's item number was 3980 on the Agenda and included the recommendation from the Senate Environmental Quality Committee (below) to keep OEHHA intact and add risk assessment and hazard evaluation functions from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is one of six branches of the California Environmental Protection Agency. This regulatory program has had the status of an official government department since 1991 but has been in operation since the early 1920s as part of the California Department...
and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is an agency of the government of the state of California. The Mission of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control is to provide the highest level of safety, and to protect public health and the environment from toxic harm...
. When OEHHA's item came up, Assemblymember Nielsen requested more time to review the proposal. The committee decided to postpone the discussion and action of the OEHHA item, but did not say when the committee would revisit the OEHHA budget proposal.
On June 15, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee voted 6-4 along party lines to approve funding OEHHA's entire budget with fee- and penalty-based special funds. The conference committee's plan will be considered by the full Assembly and Senate as part of the budget package. The final ruling on OEHHA will not be available until after the budget is passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
. As of June 25, 2009, it does not appear that the Democratic budget plan will be passed.
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Hearing
On June 10, 2009, The Senate Environmental Quality Committee voted to recommend that OEHHA be kept intact and expanded with the addition of California Department Pesticide Regulation’s risk assessment activities, California Department of Toxic Substances ControlCalifornia Department of Toxic Substances Control
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is an agency of the government of the state of California. The Mission of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control is to provide the highest level of safety, and to protect public health and the environment from toxic harm...
’s hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in the children’s health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Budget Conference Committee.
Public testimony and discussion on behalf of OEHHA continued for over an hour and included 16 people who spoke in favor of keeping OEHHA intact. Two others spoke in opposition to transferring Department Pesticide Regulation’s risk assessment activities to OEHHA, but neither of them commented on the larger issue of OEHHA's future. The vote was 3-2. Senator Ashburn voted against the expansion recommendation but also said, “The expertise that resides in OEHHA ought not to be dissipated throughout state government as the Governor proposes.”
Speakers in support of OEHHA included:
- Bill Magavern, Sierra ClubSierra ClubThe Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
California - Dr. Amy Kyle, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health
- Dr. Sarah Janssen, Natural Resources Defense CouncilNatural Resources Defense CouncilThe Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
- Shankar Prasad, Coalition for Clean Air
- Dr. Janice Kim, representing the American Academy of PediatricsAmerican Academy of PediatricsThe American Academy of Pediatrics is the major professional association of pediatricians in the United States. The AAP was founded in 1930 by 35 pediatricians to address pediatric healthcare standards. It currently has 60,000 members in primary care and sub-specialist areas...
- Dr. Tracy Woodruff, Director, UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment
- Andrea Ventura, Clean Water ActionClean Water ActionClean Water Action, an organization of 1 million members, organizes grassroots groups and coalitions to protect America's waters, build healthy communities and support environmental legislation and political candidates. Created in 1972, Clean Water Action focuses on canvassing and gaining support...
- Gretchen Lee, policy director of the Breast Cancer Fund
- Lauren Ornelas, Silicon Valley Toxics CoalitionSilicon Valley Toxics CoalitionThe Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition , is a San Jose, California based research and advocacy group that promotes safe environmental practices in the high tech industry...
- Martha Guzman, California Rural Legal AssistanceCalifornia Rural Legal AssistanceCalifornia Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. is a 501 non-profit legal and political advocacy group that promotes the interests of migrant laborers and the rural poor. The organization provides legal assistance in the areas of housing and eviction, public benefits, and educational access...
- Suzanne Murphy, execuctive director of Worksafe
- Bonnie Holmes-Gen, American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung AssociationThe American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.-History:...
and California Thoracic Society - Kyle Gardner, Center for Environmental Health
- Bill Allayaud, Environmental Working GroupEnvironmental Working GroupThe Environmental Working Group is an American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability...
Speakers against expansion of OEHHA:
- Patrick Moran, legislative advocate, California Association of Professional Scientists
- Justin Malan, California League of Conservation VotersCalifornia League of Conservation VotersThe California League of Conservation Voters is a nonpartisan lobbying and educational organization which focuses on environmental issues affecting California....
Purpose and Goals
OEHHA's vision is to be California’s leading scientific organization for evaluating risks to human and ecological health. OEHHA's goals as a governmental agency include:- Improve the quality of the public’s health and the environment
- Advance the science for the evaluation of risks posed to the public health and environment, and provide risk assessment leadership for the State of California
- Provide quality, useful, and equitable service to the public
Scientific Responsibilities
OEHHA assesses the risk of environmental chemicals based on health considerations alone. In contrast, risk managers consider economic and technical feasibility as factors in their decisions. This separation is essential to prevent undue political influence on the evaluation of health risks. These factors are and should remain explicitly excluded from the assessment of risk. OEHHA plays a critical and unique role that allows for the separation of risk assessment and hazard evaluation from risk management with primary goal of protecting public health and the environment.OEHHA's Top Ten
OEHHA' most recognizable contributions to public and environmental health are:1. OEHHA's groundbreaking work that showed that chromium in drinking water causes cancer; this issue was publicized in the movie Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich (film)
Erin Brockovich is a 2000 biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film is a dramatization of the story of Erin Brockovich, played by Julia Roberts, who fought against the US West Coast energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Roberts won the Academy Award, Golden Globe,...
.
2. OEHHA's research was critical in passing legislation to ban toxic phthalates from children's toys in California.
3. OEHHA was the first agency to identify second-hand tobacco smoke as a causal factor in breast cancer in young women.
4. California's ban on two widely-used toxic flame retardants was supported by OEHHA’s research. The California ban led to these chemicals being phased out in the United States.
5. In the face of strong opposition, OEHHA was the first government agency to establish that diesel exhaust causes cancer and induces asthma in children. OEHHA's work has led to stringent new controls on this widespread pollutant.
6. OEHHA has compiled the most comprehensive list in the world of chemicals that cause cancer, infertility, birth defects (known as the Proposition 65 list). Governments throughout the world rely on this list to regulate toxic chemicals. Manufacturers of consumer products use the list to design safer consumer products.
7. With OEHHA's ongoing support, the California Attorney General has led the way in removing lead from consumer products including venetian blinds, children’s toys and jewelry, tableware, water faucets and ceramics. Other California success stories include reducing the use of toxic pesticides in flea collars and no-pest strips and removal of a cancer-causing chemical from office supplies.
8. OEHHA maintains a list of hazardous arts and crafts supplies that contain toxic substances which pose health dangers to children. California elementary schools are prohibited from purchasing these materials. OEHHA also provides advice on the selection and use of safer art supplies.
9. OEHHA's research contributed to the phase-out of a toxic gasoline additive (MTBE) that contaminated groundwater throughout California.
10. California was the first state to regulate a rocket fuel component which widely contaminates drinking water and produce including lettuce. OEHHA's research provided the basis for this drinking water standard.
Traditional Roles
OEHHA’s work products cover a variety of environmental media. Traditionally OEHHA has focused on four primary areas:Air Pollution
- Health-based air quality standards for pollutants associated with smog
- Health effects assessments for toxic air contaminants.
- List of toxic air contaminants that disproportionately impact children
- Indoor air guidelines for green building
Water Pollution
- Fish consumption advisories including warnings for pregnant women and children
- Health protective levels for contaminants found in drinking water
Proposition 65: Carcinogens and Reproductive Toxicants
- Maintain Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to be carcinogens and reproductive toxicants
- Health-based assessments of safe levels for Proposition 65 carcinogens and reproductive toxicants
Multimedia risk assessment
- Assess human and ecological health risk from exposure to chemicals contaminating California sites or facilities
- Multimedia evaluation of the health effects of fuels
More recently
In recent years OEHHA has taken on new mandates to address emerging environmental issues of particular concern to the California public:- Biomonitoring – Evaluation of priority chemicals for Biomonitoring in California
- Green Chemistry – Identification of key hazards of chemicals for implementation of green chemistry laws
- Occupational health – Advice on health-based occupational exposure limits
- Dry Cleaning – Research on safer alternative methods for dry cleaning
- Environmental Justice
- Cumulative Impacts
- Emergency response for release of hazardous chemicals
- Evaluation of contamination from oil spills
- Evaluation of chemical sprays used to control invasive species
- Child-specific health-based reference doses used to evaluate toxic chemicals found at school sites
- Climate change – Identification of health effects
- Involved in the light brown apple moth controversyLight brown apple moth controversyThe Light brown apple moth is a leafroller moth belonging to the lepidopteran family Tortricidae. The insect is regarded as an herbivorous generalist, and the larvae consume numerous horticultural crops in Australia and New Zealand...
: Issued report on the complaints of adverse health effects after aerial spraying in Monterey and Santa Cruz.
Organizational structure
OEHHA has three main divisions:- Administrative Support Services Division,
- Office of External and Legislative Affairs
- Scientific Affairs Divisison
The Scientific Affairs division is composed of four scientific branches that correspond to the scientific duties:
- Air Toxicology and Epidemiology Branch
- Integrated Risk Assessment Branch
- Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Branch
- Reproductive and Cancer Hazard Assessment Branch
Who uses OEHHA’s science?
State agency users of information on issues of environmental and public health include:- All six boards and departments within Cal/EPA
- California Department of Public HealthCalifornia Department of Public HealthThe California Department of Public Health is the state department responsible for public health in California. It is a subdivision of the California Health and Human Services Agency...
- California Department of Food and AgricultureCalifornia Department of Food and AgricultureThe California Department of Food and Agriculture , is a cabinet-level agency in the government of California. Established in 1919 by the California State Legislature and signed into law by Governor William Stephens, the Department of Food and Agriculture is responsible for ensuring the state's...
- California Office of Emergency Services
- California Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Department of Fish and GameThe California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
- California Department of JusticeCalifornia Department of JusticeThe California Department of Justice is the department in the California executive branch under the leadership of the California Attorney General.-Description:It has 5344 employees and a budget of $791 million...
- Federal agencies
- Scientific community including Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Industries in a range of disciplines
- General public
History
OEHHA was established in its current form by Governor Pete WilsonPete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
on July 17, 1991 with the creation of Cal/EPA. OEHHA originated in the 1950s for air epidemiology in the Department of Public Health and developed over time with increased public awareness of the environment. OEHHA is the smallest of the six boards, departments and offices within Cal/EPA. OEHHA has no regulatory authority but remains the risk assessment and scientific arm of Cal/EPA and provides health-protective scientific guidance for Cal/EPA. Additionally, OEHHA is the lead agency for Proposition 65 implementation, a ballot measure approved in 1986, titled The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
The highly experienced team of experts is well respected in the scientific community and has been built up over more than twenty years. The quality and depth of OEHHA’s commitment to public health, the environment and sound science is illustrated by the scientific quality of the risk assessments produced.
OEHHA is headquartered in the Cal/EPA building in Sacramento and has an office in the Oakland Elihu Harris State Building. Before the state building was built, the Oakland office used to be located across from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
; OEHHA has maintained academic ties with this institution.