December 19, 2007

Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2007

Members Present: Dave Williams, Larry Boise, Beth Rosenberg, Chris Swartz, Igor Linkov, Lorraine Braunsdorf, Hilary Eustace, Joann Lindenmayer

Others Present: Heather Tenney (TURI), Mike Ellenbecker (TURI), John Raschko (OTA), Mary Butow (TURI), Rachel Massey (TURI), Joy Onash (TURI)

SAB New Member Orientation

Heather provided a brief overview/training for new members ( repeated from last time).

Welcome and Introductions

October Meeting Minutes

Minutes from Oct. 17th meeting approved as written.

Program updates

The Administrative Council has approved TCE, cadmium, and cadmium compounds for listing as higher hazard chemicals. These designations will go into the regulations at the end of this calendar year.

Appointments are still awaiting approval by the governor.

Complete Review of Reported CERCLA-only chemicals
The group agreed to proceed through the spreadsheet for the remaining CERCLA only chemicals one by one. Members had each done extra research on several chemicals, so members added their additional information when that chemical came up.

Aluminum sulfate.
The ACGIH exposure limit is based on conversion to sulfuric acid when in contact with mucus membranes. The PEL of 2 mg/m3 is based on irritant potential. This is comparable to other irritant dusts and corrosives that the SAB has considered. Nine companies still report this chemical. For comparison: The SAB took no action on ferrous and ferric sulfate. Industries and municipalities use this chemical for water treatment. If sulfuric acid is being tracked, it may be less important to track aluminum sulfate.

There was a unanimous vote to take no action on aluminum sulfate, with a note that it can be reconsidered if there is more information in the future.

Sulfuric acid
Both sulfuric acid and fuming sulfuric acid are listed as IARC 1. Based on the IARC 1 listing there was a unanimous vote to retain sulfuric acid on the list.

Nitric Oxide
NO is converted quickly to NO2, meaning exposure to environment or workers would be as NO2, not NO. There was a motion to take no action. 5 voted in favor of the motion, 2 opposed, 1 abstaining.

Nitrogen Dioxide
NO2 has ceiling exposure level of 5 PPM (TLV-STEL). It is an inhalation hazard. Unanimous vote to retain.

1,2 ethanediamine, diethylamine, ethanamine, trimethylamine
It was decided to discuss the amines as a group. All are acutely toxic with low PELs and RELs. There was a motion and unanimous vote to retain all 4 on the list.

Sodium hydrosulfide
This chemical is corrosive and more hazardous than NaOH, which was retained. There was a unanimous vote to retain.

di n octyl phthalate
This chemical is often confused with other more harmful phthalates, such as DEHP. Data shows that it doesn't bind with estrogen receptors. It is not commercially available as a separate chemical. There was a unanimous vote to take no action.

Note: One member left at this point

diethyleneglycol dicarbamate
This chemical has a high persistence in sediment. LD50 is very high. There was a unanimous vote to take no action (Igor was not available to participate in this and all subsequent votes).

EDTA
EDTA is an FDA approved food additive, however it has a low LD50. It is a common chelating agent. It is somewhat persistent in sediment - doesn't degrade in groundwater. There was a motion to retain, 5 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstaining.

Ethyl Ether
Ethyl Ether is a central nervous system depressant and has a low vapor pressure. It is somewhat persistent in sediment, has a high TLV, is flammable, and forms peroxides. There was a unanimous vote to retain.

Amyl acetate
Amyl acetate is used for fit testing respirators. It has a high explosion limit (100 ppm), is an eye irritant, and is persistent in air.. There was a vote to take no action. 5 in favor, 2 abstaining.

Sodium
Sodium is highly reactive. There have been recent injuries in Massachusetts due to sodium fires. There was a unanimous vote to retain this chemical.

Sodium bisulfite
Further research shows that sodium bisulfite is an IARC 3. To be consistent with past votes for chemicals with the same IARC rating, there was a unanimous vote to retain due to its IARC status.

Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is used as a reactive barrier in groundwater remediation. It is acutely toxic. There was a unanimous vote to retain.

Ammonium sulfamate
Ammonium sulfamate is a nuisance dust issue. There was a unanimous vote for no action.

Calcium Hypochlorite
Further research shows that calcium hypochlorite is an IARC 3. To be consistent with past votes for chemicals with the same IARC rating, there was a unanimous vote to retain due to its IARC status.

Propionic acid
Propionic acid is a mild irritant with a high LD50 and is persistent in air. It was compared to acetic acid which was retained (at concentrations over 12%). There was a motion to retain propionic acid. 4 voted in favor of the motion, 2 against, 1 abstaining. In discussing propionic acid, propionic anhydride was brought up. The Board had previously voted to take no action on propionic anhydride. A motion was made to retain propionic anhydride for the same reasons as propionic acid and acetic anhydride. 6 voted in favor, 1 abstaining.

Note: One member left at this point.

Sodium dodecylbenzenesulonate, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid
Discussion of these two chemicals began at the last meeting. Extra research showed that these chemicals do not bioconcentrate. There was a motion to retain: 5 in favor, 1 abstaining.

Next Meeting:
Monday, January 7, 2008

Adjourn