DATA TRUST
COMPREHENSIVE DATA UNDERPINS SAFER CHEMISTRY.
TOXIC IS EASY, SAFE IS HARD
“I”It takes a lot more information to prove that a chemical is inherently safe than to prove that it is toxic. Just one negative health impact is enough to rule it out. But to be sure that it is safe for its intended use means that nearly two dozen human and environmental endpoints need to be considered, data gaps must be filled, and hazards should be moderate to low. Toxic is easy, safe is hard.””
COMPREHENSIVE DATA UNDERPINS SAFER CHEMISTRY
As a first step toward accelerating and measuring the transition to safer chemistry, the Safer Chemistry Impact (SCI) Fund has invested in the Chemical Hazard Data Trust managed by ChemFORWARD, a science-based non-profit organization.
The Data Trust will simplify access to chemical hazard data from dozens of credible sources. It will curate, maintain and continuously improve the data, and harmonize the information for actionable decision support that will accelerate the global transition to safer chemistry. Each CHA comprises a comprehensive evaluation and classification of human health hazards, physical-chemical properties, and environmental fate and toxicity endpoints based on an enhanced GHS-based approach. To date, this includes and combines criteria from the following two methodologies: (1) Cradle to Cradle Material Health Assessment Methodology (Current version: V4.0, February 2022), and (2) the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
The Chemical Hazard Data Trust is creating broad access to chemical hazard information that can empower the transition to safer chemistry by making it measurable.
Safer alternatives are those that meet functional requirements, for which comprehensive human health and environmental toxicity and fate data are available, and for which the human and environmental health hazards are moderate to low. Further, the hazard profile of the alternative should be captured within a chemical hazard assessment (CHA).
WHAT IS SAFER
DEVELOPING A COMMON LANGUAGE
As a means of harmonizing results from different chemical hazard assessment systems, ChemFORWARD created a simple scale of color-coded hazard bands to facilitate comparison of results across CHA methods and demonstrate equivalency.
Hazard bands can be used as a common language for chemical management programs, policies, and standards, with A, B, and C hazard bands being considered safer chemistry, while Ds and Fs are prioritized for elimination; Us and ?s need more information before a determination can be made.
LEVERAGING DATA ANALYTICS
The harmonized rating system and the centralized data trust enable characterization of the substances being used in specific industry sectors, high-priority applications, and individual products. Early analytics conducted by ChemFORWARD served as a proof of concept and revealed tangible progress in the use of verified safer chemistry supported by comprehensive chemical hazard assessments. Simultaneously, these reports uncovered priorities for immediate action on high hazards and filling strategic data gaps where a targeted investment in chemical hazard assessments would have an impact across brands.
Large datasets, data analytics, data visualization, and expert interpretation are used to provide clear, comparable data for baseline reporting. The same process can be used for industry, company, and supplier level insights.