Cut chemicals in products, California panel recommends

SACRAMENTO — A panel appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says California should immediately start reducing the toxic substances in products and manufacturing in the state.

A report from the panel on Tuesday said the state should expand its pollution prevention, include science classes that focus on protecting the environment in school curriculum and give consumers easy access to information about the chemicals in the products they buy.

It's part of a plan by the state Environmental Protection Agency to eventually eliminate many toxic materials.

Schwarzenegger set up the panel of scientists, policy makers and industry officials in 2007 to come up with broad recommendations on how to deal with chemicals, rather than through piecemeal legislation.