CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY …

                         CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                         Department of Toxic Substances Control

                                   MEDIA ADVISORY
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor                                      Maureen F. Gorsen, Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Contact:
April 21, 2008                                                                    Angela Blanchette
                                                                                      510-540-3732

              Green Chemistry `Conversation with California'
                          continues in Berkeley
                    to reduce use of toxic chemicals
On Wednesday, April 23, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will hold a
public workshop at the department's regional office in Berkeley on the state's Green Chemistry Initiative
to help establish a recommended blueprint for reducing the use of toxic chemicals and harmful metals.
The purpose of the workshop is to gather public comment on ways to explore Green Chemistry as a
different approach to environmental protection ­ transitioning away from managing toxic chemicals at
the end of the product lifecycle, to reducing or eliminating their use altogether. At the April 23
workshop, stakeholders will discuss and answer specific questions regarding how, by whom, when, and
in what way selected draft policy options should be implemented that were presented in Cal/EPA's
Phase 1 report on the Green Chemistry Initiative in January 2008. Public comments from throughout
the state are being culled to include in the Cal/EPA report due to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on
July 1, 2008, with Green Chemistry policy recommendations that would be implemented statewide.

Workshop participants will be encouraged to continue the "conversation with California" following the
meeting by posting comments on DTSC's green chemistry blog site at:
http://californiagreenchemistry.squarespace.com/welcome/

What: "Conversation with California" on the state's Green Chemistry Initiative
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2008
       9 a.m. ­ 1:00 p.m.
Where: DTSC Berkeley Regional Office, 700 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710

VISUALS: Photo opportunities are available in the Environmental Chemistry Lab at DTSC's
regional office where scientists are testing products and biological specimens for harmful
levels of phthalates, lead, and the flame retardants PBDEs, as well as other toxic chemicals and
metals.

For more detailed information about the April 23 workshop, visit DTSC's website at:
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention/GreenChemistryInitiative/index.cfm.



  The mission of the Department of Toxic Substances Control is to provide the highest
   level of safety, and to protect public health and the environment from toxic harm.