November 30, 2016
Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
November 30, 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, Hilary Hackbart, Robin Dodson, Denise Kmetzo, Chris Rioux
Members not present: Amy Cannon, Christy Foran
Program staff present: Liz Harriman (TURI), Heather Tenney (TURI), Mary Butow (TURI), John Raschko (OTA), Tsedash Zewdie (DEP), Mike Ellenbecker (TURI)
Others present: Trish McCarthy (Coyne Legislative Services for ACC), Margaret Gorman (ACC), Kathy Robertson (MCTA), Molly Jacobs (UML), Jo Anne Shatkin (Vireo Advisors, LLC)
Welcome & Introductions
Nanomaterials presentation
Jo Anne Shatkin of Vireo Advisors, LLC, presented “An Update on NanoMaterial Toxicology, Exposure and Risk Analysis.” One member asked about the availability of epidemiologic studies. Dr. Shatkin noted that there weren’t very many. Dr. Ellenbecker noted one conducted in Taiwan. He also indicated that NIOSH is currently working on identifying a large enough cohort to study occupational exposure/effects. Approximately 90% of the 10,000 studies that have been done pertain to toxicity. A Board member asked if there was any literature on problems related to medical applications of nanotechnology. The Program will search this topic. Board members asked other questions and look forward to follow-up information on nanomaterials from the Program. Dr. Shatkin’s presentation and contact information will be posted to the SAB Lib Guide.
Program Updates
- A number of TUR grants were awarded for FY17. Information on specific grants is available on TURI’s web site.
- The US EPA has released its first 10 chemicals for review under the updated TSCA legislation – the link to this information will be added to the SAB Lib Guide:
- 1, 4-Dioxane
- 1-Bromopropane (MA TURA HHS)
- Asbestos
- Carbon Tetrachloride
- Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster
- Methylene Chloride (MA TURA HHS)
- N-methylpyrrolidone
- Pigment Violet 29
- Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene (MA TURA HHS)
- Trichloroethylene (MA TURA HHS)
- A request regarding nanomaterials was submitted to EOEEA Secretary Matthew Beaton this week.
- An advisory was circulated that has been prepared for users of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (trans-DCE), a solvent increasingly used by companies in degreasing products as a substitute for other halogenated solvents. It is individually listed on the TURA chemical list. The cis- isomer of this substance is not currently listed under TURA, but would be included in the “C1-C4 halogenated hydrocarbons not otherwise listed” category that the board recommended be added to the TURA chemical list. Trans-DCE is often used in conjunction with HFEs, a group of chemicals previously reviewed by the Board and found to mostly have concerns with regard to global warming potential.
- The TDI Fact Sheet was updated in November 2016 and copies were distributed to the Board.
- TURI is working on an alternatives assessment for artificial turf. TURI has received many questions from communities with regard to the safety of artificial turf and the various infill options. Those with questions about the project can contact Rachel Massey or Joy Onasch at TURI.
- The Phthalate Ester document will be delivered to DEP by next week and will be added to the SAB Lib Guide.
Approve September Meeting Minutes
The Board noted to add the word ‘review’ to a sentence under the ‘Authoritative List Presentation: IARC’ section, “The presentation covered the process IARC uses for selection of chemicals to review, what they look for in data to be reviewed, how review participants are selected, the structure used for their scientific review, and the definitions for their classifications”.
Vote: 6 in favor, 1 abstaining.
Continued Discussion: PFOA/PFOS
The Program is asking the Board to look at the hazards of these substances for possible listing. PFOA and PFOS have been recently discovered in drinking water supplies across the country, including Massachusetts.
PFOS
Board members reviewed the EHS Summary and provided feedback. There was a comment regarding whether to include the precursors which break down into PFOS. References to lists of the 50-100 precursors will be provided.
The DEP representative noted that the DEP drinking water limit of 70 ppt applies to PFOA and PFOS combined.
PBT
The Board noted that the PBT Profiler data should be removed as the software tool notes that highly fluorinated compounds can’t be reliably profiled with the PBT Profiler because of their unique characteristics. They would like to see the bioaccumulation information updated. In addition, it was noted that log Kow and BCF are not relevant indicators for PFOS or PFOA, as they bioaccumulate by binding preferentially to proteins in blood plasma and in the liver. Board members commented on high concentrations found in larger animals. There was concern about biomagnification and the extent of transport (e.g. substance found in polar bears and arctic foxes). A note was made about the precursors being volatile. The background documents have a lot of information on presence in remote regions and large animals. A Board member noted an atmospheric half-life of 3.7 years in air. A screening assessment report noted a study of persistence in water that showed no significant reduction in PFOS concentration over the 285 day study period. There is a significant body of evidence that reports no degradation in the environment of PFOS; Mary will check back with the Board regarding specific values they would like to highlight in the EHS summary. Overall, the Board agreed that it is very persistent.
Thyroid
The C8 studies showed a probable link for thyroid disruption and identified a link in children with hypothyroidism. There are some positive animal studies. The Board would like further information on the mechanism and the relationship between serum levels. The DEP representative provided an EPA table with detected serum levels – this will be added to the LibGuide. All epidemiological studies are looking at serum levels versus thyroid levels. The McNab 2005 animal study showed decreased T3/T4.
A Board member indicated that there were thyroid effects noted in some of the environmental studies as well.
PFOA
Board members reviewed the EHS Summary and provided feedback. There was a note to add a box for immunotoxicity on this summary (and in the template moving forward).
PBT
PBT Profiler information will be removed. The same question of relevance regarding BCF and log Kow was noted. It was noted that there is a higher potential to accumulate in aquatic species than the PFOS. High tissue concentrations in animals in remote areas were seen. Board members noted to include BMF, and aquatic toxicity values. It was noted that PFOA is being detected in soil, and leaching into groundwater. As a surfactant (hydrophobic on one end hydrophilic on the other) it dissolves easily in water, and is very mobile in groundwater; it has been detected in a number of drinking water supplies.
Cancer
There were several cancer endpoints noted. Kidney cancer and testicular cancer had the most information. A summary table was created and shared with the board to review the types of cancer and relative risk seen in all the different studies. Relative Risk (RR) > 5.0 was seen, however the confidence interval was large and the number of cases was small. Veronica Vieira, a former Board member, was one of the authors on several of the studies pertaining to the C8 project. Heather spoke to her to get her thoughts on the project and her recommendations for what other information the Board should look at. Dr. Vieira noted evidence for kidney and testicular cancer. Program staff also highlighted a Dupont study of workers in Parkersburg, WV, from 2008 that indicated a slight reported excess kidney cancer mortality.
A member noted a study (Chang 2014) in Critical Reviews in Toxicology that suggested a protective effect of PFOA with regard to some cancers. While a number of epidemiological studies found positive associations between PFOS/PFOA exposure and cancers, the results were often not consistent across studies. Their interpretation of the data was that there was not enough evidence for a conclusive causal association between exposure to PFOA and cancer. There is suggestive data regarding cancer causation. EPA notes suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential based on testicular tumors. The RfD for developmental toxicity is lower. Pancreatic and testicular cancer was seen in animals. PFOA is not thought to be mutagenic. There is some suggestion of a link with breast cancer. A Board member noted that the NJ evaluation (Health-Based Maximum Contaminant Level Support Document: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Public Review Draft) indicated that their value would be even lower than 14 ng/L if they established their limit by the mammary gland development endpoint. The animal studies reference in the IARC monograph will be added to the SAB Lib Guide as well as Chang 2014.
Thyroid
There was no correlation between exposure and TSH. Some studies indicated hypothyroidism with PFOA exposure, however it was noted that PFOS was included in those studies as well.
Other Effects
Other effects to be studied further include: pre-eclampsia, liver effects, and immunotoxicity. Dr. Vieira suggested an article from Dr. Grandjean regarding immunotoxicity which will be posted to the SAB Lib Guide.
Next Meeting
January 11th, 2017
Scheduled to include a presentation on the chemistry of perfluorinated compounds (speaker TBD).
Handouts:
Draft EHS Summary for PFOA, Revised 11/25/16
Draft EHS Summary for PFOS, Revised 11/25/16
FY16 TUR Grant Recipients
Advisory for trans-dichloroethylene
TDI Fact Sheet, Updated Nov. 2016