New Copper Coatings Bill Introduced in California Legislature

摘要

On February 15, California Assemblywoman Toni Atkins (D-78) introduced AB 425-legislation related to copper-based antfouling coatings. The use of copper in antifouling paints has been targeted by many groups as contributing to adverse water conditions in certain California marinas. The bill's language proposes that no later than February 1, 2014, California's Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) shall evaluate whether to register copper-based antifouling paint, and make recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures that may be implemented to address the protections of aquatic environments from the effects of exposure to that paint if it is registered as a pesticide. As part of that evaluation, the department shall determine a leach rate for copper-based antifouling paint used on recreational vessels.