Apr 12 - Senate Rules OK's Debbie Raphael as DTSC Chief

Yesterday, Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved Deborah Raphael as head of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). DTSC's mission is to protect public health and the environment from exposures to hazardous wastes.

According to the LA Times, Director Raphael's appointment comes at a critical time for DTSC as the department is in the midst of finalizing the landmark Safer Consumer Products regulation, to implement laws passed in 2008 to curb toxic chemicals in consumer products.

Raphael has a strong environmental background and will provide much needed leadership for DTSC's Green Chemistry Initiative. Previously, she was the Program Manager for the City & County of San Francisco's Toxics Reduction and Green Building Programs, working on toxics reduction, green business, and green building since 1999.

CAW's Legislative Coordinator Nick Lapis was there in support, "We appreciate that Debbie has taken the department beyond managing toxic waste to reducing it."

Mark Murray, CAW's Executive Director, said: "I’ve known and worked with Debbie for several years and witnessed firsthand her commitment to reducing public exposure to toxics and promoting greater producer responsibility for waste reduction and recycling."