June 25, 2007

Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
June 25, 2007

Members Present: Larry Boise, Chris Swartz, Beth Rosenberg, Anne Marie Desmarais, Nancy Maxwell

Others present: Heather Tenney (TURI), Mike Ellenbecker (TURI), John Raschko (OTA), Glenn Keith (MassDEP), Lucy Servidio (Capaccio Engineering)

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes

Heather asked the Board how they felt about the new process for reviewing minutes more quickly so they can be posted on TURI's website about a week after a meeting. The Board felt the process worked well following the last meeting, and was in favor of continuing it.

Program updates

Mike and Heather told the Board that Rich Bizzozero of OTA is scheduling the initial meeting of the TURA Administrative Council for late July, possibly the 31st. The purpose of this meeting will be to provide the Council with an overview of the TURA program, and update them on the Board's recent activities. The second Council meeting will be held in October and the agenda will include the recommendations on the first groups of Higher Hazard and Lower Hazard chemicals.

Review of CERCLA-only Chemicals

The Board continued their review of the CERCLA-only chemicals in order to recommend which ones should remain on the TURA list.

MEK

The Board continued their discussion on whether to retain methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) on the list, and discussed epidemiological information provided by Nancy, such as EPA's toxicology review from 2003. Nancy felt the data she found was unsatisfying since the EPA review was inconclusive and several cancer studies she identified were either flawed or inconclusive. There was also the issue that most studies involved multiple solvents, resulting in the inability to identify the specific effects of MEK. Heather indicated that there is no new information the Board didn't have when it first categorized MEK as less hazardous. Beth noted that MEK is a neurotoxin, but that there is not enough evidence to determine to what degree. There was a motion to retain MEK on the TURA list as a less hazardous chemical, and it passed unanimously.

Ethyl Acetate

The Board continued their discussion on whether to retain ethyl acetate on the TURA list. They reviewed Monsanto's 1996 delisting petition that was provided by Heather, as well as ToxNet data Heather had sent to the Board prior to the meeting. On the basis of this information, there was a motion to retain ethyl acetate on the TURA list as a less hazardous chemical. The motion passed unanimously.

Propanenitrile

It was confirmed that propanenitrile is also known as ethyl cyanide, a cyanide compound. Since the Board has recommended that cyanide compounds be included in the first group of Higher Hazard chemicals, propanenitrile will remain on the TURA list.

Ammonium Fluoride, Ammonium Bifluoride and Sodium Fluoride

The Board determined that they need additional information on the use of these three chemicals in fluoridation and toothpaste before making their recommendation. Anne Marie volunteered to acquire the information, and further discussion was tabled to the next meeting.

Fuming Sulfuric Acid

This chemical has been designated as IARC 1 and is on the original more hazardous list developed by the Board in 1999. Anne Marie also noted that there is strong evidence it is a cancer promoter. Based on this information, there was a motion to retain fuming sulfuric acid on the TURA list; the motion passed unanimously.

Chemicals of interest for next meeting

Isophorone and di-octyl phthalate were identified by Chris and Anne Marie, respectively, as chemicals to be discussed at the next meeting. Several additional chemicals were also identified as priorities for next time: sodium hypochlorite, diethylene glycol dicarbamate, furfural, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, caprolactam, maleic acid, and adipic acid.

Sodium hypochlorite was the subject of a previous delisting petition, and the Board had recommended against delisting it. Heather will provide the Board with the delisting petition and the minutes from the meetings where it was discussed. She will also provide the Board with information on the other nine chemicals for their review.

Next Meeting
July 16, 2007

Adjourn