May 19, 2010

Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2010
DEP Boston – 6th Floor Room 6003 - 1PM

SAB Members Present: Dave Williams, Anne Marie Desmarais, Veronica Vieira, Martha Mittelstaedt, Robin Dodson, Hilary Hackbart, Larry Boise

Others Present: Heather Tenney (TURI), Liz Harriman (TURI), Glenn Keith (DEP), Mark Smith (DEP), Elise Pechter (DPH), Chunbai Zhang (DPH)

Lunch and Asthma presentation by Elise Pechter of DPH

Welcome and Introductions

Program Updates

  • TURI has moved to the Wannalancit building on the other side of the river in Lowell.
  • The TURI statehouse event is June 9 – all are welcome.
  • TURI’s proposed budget is out today – the senate has rolled up TURI into the University like they did last year.
  • Formaldehyde was presented to the Advisory Committee as a potential higher hazard substance last week.

Approve March Meeting Minutes
Minutes were unanimously approved as written.

Paraformaldehyde
The formaldehyde policy analysis was presented last week at the Advisory Committee meeting. One question that came up was whether it made sense to include paraformaldehyde with formaldehyde as a higher hazard substance since it is used as a formaldehyde source.

The group looked at the paraformaldehyde data. The paraformaldehyde does not have an IARC rating and has a higher LD50 based on the references provided today. The question of how quickly the paraformaldehyde transforms into formaldehyde was raised. Elise stated that formaldehyde is detectable in air samples in some cosmetology schools. Several policy related questions came up regarding the reporting of formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde in various applications, how this works for other intermediates, and how reporting fees would work for this.

Remaining Questions:
· What are paraformaldehyde’s direct uses?
· What is the rate of decomposition at room temperature?
· What facilities would report paraformaldehyde?
· What information does the Formaldehyde Council have?

Higher Hazard Substance Alternatives
A spreadsheet was sent around with health and environmental information for common TCE/PCE alternatives. The board took an initial look at it and suggestions were made for more information. Heather will add information regarding whether these alternatives are currently reportable under TURA. Additionally, a literature review will be conducted to see if there is any emerging information on any of these chemicals.

Decision Making Document
The decision making document that Liz has distributed was discussed. Liz will distribute a revised copy and members can suggest changes to the document.

Next Meeting
Heather will email potential dates.