BCOT members participated in lobbying efforts in support of AB 495 which was signed into law on September 30, 2021. The bill banned 13 toxic chemicals in personal care and cosmetic products sold in California. It set an important precedent in the United States because, as there was currently no legislation at the federal or state level that restricts this many toxic chemicals from personal care products. This is especially pertinent to the breast cancer community, as some of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. In late November 2019, bill co-sponsors, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Environmental Working Group, and the California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) invited us to participate in lobbying at the State Capitol. Lobbying was imperative, as this bill needed to pass through the Assembly by the end of January 2020.

AB 495 was first heard in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on Tuesday, January 13th. Although there was some push back by the opposition, the bill received enough votes to move forward to Assembly Health Committee, which would take place later that week on Friday, January 17th.

Prior to Sam and Polly’s arrival at the State Capitol that Friday, big changes had been made to the bill text. Two of the 13 toxic chemicals banned on the bill had been removed to accommodate concerns by committee members. The bill author, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, made a commitment to mirror language and standards already in place in the European Union (EU). The two chemicals of concern, lead and asbestos, had various use restrictions that varied by EU member nation, which could not be exactly mirrored in the bill. Assemblymember Muratsuchi made the decision to remove the two chemicals in hopes that the bill could progress on to Assembly Appropriations. Unfortunately, many committee members (including at least 4 Democrats) used the process of changing the bill text last minute to justify refraining from voting. The final vote of 7-0 (8 members “passed” on voting) meant that we were just one vote short of the bill moving on.

The two witnesses in support of the bill were our very own Polly Marshall, who spoke as a breast cancer survivor, and Dr. Tanya Khemet Taiwo, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist from UC Davis, who is also a mid-wife. Dr. Taiwo specifically addressed the new study showing increased breast cancer risk in African American women who regularly use hair color and hair straightener. Polly gave a powerful testimony, and BCOT member and support group leader Carol Kronenwetter also came to the hearing and told the committee the bill is needed to protect breast cancer survivors who are at great risk and wish to protect themselves from recurrence caused by chemical exposures.

The bill is now officially “dead” since it will not pass out of its house of introduction by the end of January. However, Assemblymember Muratsachi did assure that this is “just a bump in the road” and that the bill will be introduced in different form with a new bill number by the end of February 2020, which is the deadline for new bills. It will then begin the entire process again, so stay tuned for additional recruitment to come with us to Sacramento!

BCOT's Participation in AB 495

“It’s Time To Kick PFAS Out Of Our Makeup”