Pennsylvania kicks butts

Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect last month, making that state the 24th in the nation to ban smoking statewide. The Act prohibits smoking in most public places, including many bars, taxis, schools and government buildings.

California seeks good chemistry

California's “Green Chemistry Program,” a set of laws enacted last month, aims to eliminate toxic chemicals from common household goods and the environment. The state will identify and prioritize chemicals that are linked to cancer, hormone disruption and other health hazards; analyze alternatives; and restrict or ban harmful substances. The state also will establish a Web-based database of commonly used chemicals and the toxicity and hazards of each.