A Berkeley resident known mostly in environmental circles has been included on the list of inductees for the California Hall of Fame.
Arlene Blum was honored along with seven other inductees, including Belva Davis, Joan Baez, Ed Lee and Robert Redford, in the state’s Hall of Fame. Blum, a 73-year-old biophysical chemist, has been a tireless activist for reducing harmful chemicals found in homes.
Blum founded the Green Science Policy Institute, based here in Berkeley after initiating investigations in the 1970s concerning flame retardants in children’s pajamas. This led to a ban on tris, which is a cancer-causing chemical.
She later discovered that the chemical she had got banned from furniture and baby product was again being used in them. This prompted Blum to create the Institute in 2008, bringing together public interest groups, scientists, businesses, and regulators to lessen harmful chemicals in products.
Her organization has assisted in halting 10 unnecessary flammability standards from being implemented, thereby preventing the inclusion of toxic flame retardants in consumer products. Currently, Blum is working on educating stakeholders on six classes of chemicals.
Abetted by a brochure printing service, environmental groups often build support among consumers by informing an interested but uninformed public.
According to Blum, understanding chemicals can prevent the “regrettable substitution” cycle, which is when a banned chemical is replaced with another that is closely related and is also harmful.
