The Washington Department of Ecology, along with seven state environmental agency members of the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse, has released a draft guidance document on finding alternatives to the use of toxic chemicals in products people use and ways to reduce risk to human health.

The draft document, called “Guidance for Alternatives Assessment and Risk Reduction,” is available for a 45-day public review and comment process through April 19. The public may submit comments online at http://blog.purestrategies.com/ecology/Providing-Comments. 

Alternatives assessment is a process that encourages companies to consider the potential harm that alternatives could have on human health and the environment before they are used in products. State environmental agencies are working together to help develop common definitions and best practices through collaboration. After input receiving on the draft guidance, the member states will invite businesses to pilot use of the process.