June 27, 2016
Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
June 27, 2016
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection – 2nd Floor, 1 Winter Street, Boston
12:30 PM
Members present: David Williams (Chair), Larry Boise (Vice-Chair), Kenneth Weinberg, Christy Foran, Hilary Hackbart, Amy Cannon, Chris Rioux
Members not present: Robin Dodson
Program staff present: Liz Harriman (TURI), Heather Tenney (TURI), Mary Butow (TURI), John Raschko (OTA)
Others present: Trish McCarthy (Coyne PC for ACC), Steve Rosario (ACC), Richard Fitzpatrick (Kreussler), Kathy Robertson (MCTA), Denise Kmetzo (Collaborative Risk Solutions, LLC)
Welcome & Introductions
Program Updates
The Program is hosting a GreenScreen Training this Summer. There are currently 2 slots available. If members are interested please let Heather know.
Federal TSCA reform passed (Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act). Rachel Massey assembled a summary of the highlights. Heather shared this and it will be posted on the Lib Guide.
There are several alternatives assessments ongoing at TURI. These include:
- Artificial turf: TURI has posted a fact sheet on their website and will post other sections to a full report as they are completed.
- Hexavalent chromium in sealants: This stems from a TURI-industry supply chain research project on non-hex chrome options; the alternatives assessment should be finished by fall.
- Methylene Chloride: Some promising alternatives to methylene chloride in paint stripping have been identified.
The Fall TUR Planner Course will include a significant portion of the course online. This aspect will help attendees in that there will be less class time away from the office. Let Mark Myles or Liz know if you are interested.
Grant proposals have been received for business, academic, and community/municipal toxics use reduction grant solicitations. In August TURI will notify FY2017 awardees.
Approve May Meeting Minutes
A Board member requested an edit to the paragraph on p. 3 under the dibutoxymethane heading, change “do” to “go.” Final text will read “…can go down the drain.”
Vote: 7 in favor.
Continue discussion of Dibutoxymethane
PBT:
A Board member noted that the overall impression from available information was that there is a low to moderate concern in terms of ecotoxicity/PBT. The substance degrades quickly in air. According to Barnes, et al, it degrades to aldehydes and alkoxymethyl formates. Estimated soil half-life is 17 days; and is expected to be moderately biodegradable in water. A member noted moderate aquatic toxicity based on the King County fish study (96 hr rainbow trout LC50 = 45.7 mg/L). Another member noted the toxicity issue seemed to be more acute in terms of its effect, not related to accumulation in the environment. Also it was noted that the f PNEC = 1 mg/L (predicted no effect concentration) for sewage treatment plants was important. Bioaccumulation was noted as “Very Low” in the GreenScreenTM assessment based on experimental and modeled data. TURI will update the alternatives assessment table and related sections to reflect the current EHS information.
Health effects (not including mutagenicity):
A Board member noted there were CNS/neurological effects, specifically reversible narcotic effects, unsteady gait and lethargy. There was an emphasis on the reversible nature of these narcotic effects at the highest dose. There was no information available on carcinogenicity. Maternal toxicity of the analog is troublesome, but it was noted as only seen in the highest dose. Dibutoxymethane has a high LD50.
A member noted that the 2011 NIOSH glove study indicated this substance as a dermal irritant.
The NIOSH exposure study recommended general ventilation and chemical resistant gloves. It was noted that exposures are limited by the large size of the molecule.
The following is a summary that was recorded for the purpose of updating the alternatives assessment table:
- Repro/Developmental: Surrogate shows slight effects-reduced body weight & food consumption and skeletal anomalies; not treatment related
- Dermal/Occ/Resp Irritant: Low skin irritant (NIOSH 2015 glove studies);( Kreussler has independent studies from 2011; will provide)
- CNS: Reversible narcotic effects
- Other Target Organ: Surrogate (diethoxymethane) showed edema in lungs, enlarged liver (not to be added to AA)
Mutagenicity / Analogs:
Diethoxymethane (DEM) was positive in a mouse lymphoma study and the Green Screen (GS) calls it a weak surrogate. A Board member noted that a different chain length (e.g. straight chain) would be a lot more soluble. DEM is considered very soluble as opposed to DBM. In comparison to DMM and DEM, DBM is more sterically hindered from getting into a cell. Not having information on the propyl or penta versions prevents seeing if there is really a pattern, and if so, if the pattern would be asymptotic or linear. Another possible surrogate that was identified in an EPA database included two separate butyl groups, yet the Board noted they could not make a rational case for use of this substance as a surrogate. The Board would like to be able to draw comparisons among possible surrogates. It was noted that low molecular weight/low chain length substances are more likely to be reactive. The GS considered these surrogates to be weak as well. A comment was made with regard to the reliability ranking of 3 for the original mutagenicity study cited for DEM, indicating it is unreliable.
It was noted that metabolites are hydrolysis products. One of the breakdown products, butyraldehyde, is a TURA listed chemical. The Board noted they would like to see information on butyraldehyde and acetaldehyde. It was noted that formaldehyde would be a breakdown product for one of the surrogates, dimethoxymethane. They discussed whether it is reasonable to use a metabolite of an analog. A member noted that they are all going to react quickly in water, and further that the effects seen are probably metabolite effects.
A member asked the visitor from Kreussler what happens to the DBM in the still bottoms. The visitor responded that the waste is collected, stored in sealed containers, and removed as industrial waste to be burned for BTU energy.
Assessment of the GreenScreen as a tool for the SAB
The Program was looking for feedback as to whether the GreenScreens (GS) used for the last two substances were helpful for the Board. The Program inquired if the Board liked the format/presentation, e.g. increased synthesis of information into summary paragraphs. It was noted that it helps to classify the information (e.g. GHS classification criteria). It was also noted that the original design of the screen is to score a substance.
The GreenScreen uses surrogates to show if data gaps may be more important. The Board noted that the appropriateness of surrogates needed to be carefully considered.
A Board member noted that perhaps the GreenScreen could be useful for selected chemicals, but due to the cost it shouldn’t be a default option. Another Board member commented that the methodology for assigning low, moderate, high was useful. The lab assessment tool, P2OASys was mentioned in particular due to its inclusion of process considerations as a part of hazard assessment.
There was a suggestion to look at some of the freely available GS for chemicals that the Board has already reviewed to see if the information is comparable.
The turnaround time for GreenScreens is typically a few weeks. The certification process can take additional time. If a particular GS were to be made public it would have to be certified (e.g. for posting on the IC2 website). GS List Translators are available on IC2’s website.
Upcoming SAB Items
Heather noted that TRI is proposing to list HBCD (flame retardant). Once a substance is listed on TRI it automatically gets added to the TURA list.
The SAB Guidelines for Listing and Delisting Chemicals was distributed. It has been six years since these guidelines have been reviewed (they were originally created in 1995). If the Board feels that there should be changes to the guidelines they can provide feedback in September.
A Board member requested an additional presentation on nanotechnology.
Next Meeting
September 14th – Location TBA – 12:30PM
Handouts:
EHS Summary SK4
Analog table
SAB Guidelines for listing and delisting chemicals