Consumer products companies are also moving away from controversial chemicals such as triclosan, an antibiotic agent used in soaps. Johnson & Johnson, which has faced consumer boycotts, is re-evaluating the chemicals in its children's products. "No one wants to end up being caught up in the next asbestos litigation," says Kron, who has looked at studies linking diseases to toxic chemicals.
Studying how toxic chemicals may be impacting health-care costs, lost work days and demand for government services is also important, says Kron. "These are externalities that may not come to roast one particular company," he says, "but we can't afford to have drags on our economy."