October 17, 2007

Toxic Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board meeting Minutes
October 17, 2007

Members Present: Dave Williams, Beth Rosenberg, Chris Swartz, Igor Linkov, Veronica Vieira, Lorraine Braunsdorf, Hilary Eustace

Others Present: Heather Tenney (TURI), Mike Ellenbecker (TURI), John Raschko (OTA), Lucy Servidio (Capaccio Engineering), Carol Rowan West (DEP), Glenn Keith (DEP), Andrea Bousquet (TURI)

Welcome and Introductions

SAB New Member Orientation

• Overview of TURA, goals, and results

• Role of SAB, membership, current membership

• Summary of Petitions

• Projects: Original Categorization, PBT Categorization, 313 Categorization

• Current Work

Program Updates

• Mike Ellenbecker announced the next Administrative Council meeting on October 31. TURI has completed the policy analysis for TCE and Cadmium Compounds and they will be considered at the meeting for Higher Hazard status.

• The Advisory Committee will be reconstituted on November 19, 2007.

• The Science Advisory Board appointment package continues to move forward slowly.

July Minutes
Approved as written.

Review of CERCLA-only Chemicals

The Board proceeded to discuss which remaining CERCLA only chemicals, from the TURA list should be retained. A spreadsheet with data for the CERCLA-only chemicals was distributed prior to the meeting. Several chemicals had been highlighted for higher priority at the last meeting. These chemicals - Maleic Acid, Fumaric Acid, Di-n-octyl phthalate, Caprolactam, Furfural, Isophorone, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid - were discussed first.

The Board also discussed the lack of information regarding the Minimum Risk Levels (MRLs), Reference Doses (RfDs), and neurological and developmental data for these chemicals. For this subset of the chemical list, less data is available than for a typical chemical. In addition, the reason for these chemicals to be listed (on CERCLA) to begin with was discussed. Generally, CERCLA chemicals were ones found at hazardous waste sites. During this time, it was also mentioned that if any chemicals are removed from the TURA list, they can be petitioned to be placed back on the list if necessary.

Fumeric Acid
Fumeric Acid is a food additive. It was reported by two companies in 2004. The Board reviewed the data and saw no reason to retain this chemical. There was a unanimous vote to take no action.

Maleic Acid
Maleic Acid is related to fumeric acid. The Board reviewed the data and saw no reason to retain this chemical. There was a unanimous vote to take no action.

Di-n-octyl Phthalate
This chemical has not been reported in Massachusetts for a few years. ScoreCard considers this chemical to be highly hazardous and one of the top 10% worst chemicals. It has a high LD50 and has very weak estrogenicity relative to Butyl Benzyl Phthalate. The board would like more information, specifically regarding estrogenicity prior to making a decision. Chris volunteered to gather this information.

Caprolactam
There is some evidence of reproductive/developmental effects with caprolactam. Studies show some effects on spermatogenesis. It has a low TLV. The board voted to retain caprolactam: 6 votes to retain, 1 abstaining.

Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and Dodecylbenzenesulfonic Acid
These chemicals are used in soaps. Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate is a pesticide. For these linear alkyl benzenes the question of whether they degrade to benzene came up. Both chemicals will be deferred for now. For the next meeting, Chris will find more information regarding the degradation of linear alkyl benzenes.

Isophorone
There is some evidence of fetal malformations. It is persistent in soil. EPA rated it as Class C (possible carcinogen). It has a low TWA - potential worker health issue. The Board unanimously voted to retain this chemical.

Furfural
Furfural is a respiratory irritant. It has an IARC rating of 3. The Board unanimously voted to retain this chemical.

The next set of chemicals the Board chose to review were the ones Heather asked Andrea to do extra research on.

Butyric Acid
Butyric Acid is 3-4% of butter. It has a relatively low flash point (72C). It is a nuisance smell and is persistent in air. It has not been reported for the last 10 years. The Board felt there was no compelling reason to keep in on. The Board voted unanimously to take no action on this chemical.

Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium chloride is found in shampoo, adhesives, candies, and anti-perspirants. 20 facilities report on it. Ammonium chloride is an upper respiratory tract irritant. Persistence in air is 180. TLV is nuisance dust standard. The Board unanimously voted to take no action on this chemical.

Ammonium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide
These chemicals were compared to sodium hydroxide when considered. Ammonium hydroxide has the same TLV ceiling as sodium hydroxide (2 mg/m3). Low ph / considered a worker hazard, respiratory tract irritant. Primary concern is worker safety and health. The Board unanimously voted to retain these two chemicals.

Calcium Hypochlorite
Used in swimming pools and drinking water disinfection. Widely used and could be a public health issue. May be an asthmagen. Sodium hypochlorite was retained - need to review reasons why. The Board decided that they needed more data in order to make an accurate decision regarding this chemical. Published articles on the chemical will be researched to consider public health implications and asthma potential, and past minutes will be considered to compare to sodium hypochlorite.

The final set of chemicals the Board chose to discuss were the IARC 3 chemicals and chemicals with high persistence values.

IARC 3's: Sodium Hypochlorite Pentahydrate, Resorcinol, Cyclohexanone, Calcium Carbide
The Board determined that an IARC 3 rating was reason enough to retain a chemical. The Board unanimously voted to retain the above listed IARC 3 chemicals.

Phosphorous Oxychloride
The STEL and TLV for phosphorus oxychloride are both very low. Persistence in air is 180 and it is an acute irritant. The Board voted unanimously to retain this chemical.

Iso-Butyl Acetate
The flammability and flash point were discussed for iso-butyl acetate. Flash point is 64°F and it has a low vapor pressure. The Board unanimously voted to take no action on this chemical.

Butyl Acetate
The flammability and flash point were discussed for butyl acetate as well. The flash point is 72°F. Again the vapor pressure was low. The Board unanimously voted to take no action.

Tert-Butyl Acetate
The flammability and flash point were discussed for tert butyl acetate as well. The flash point is 72°F. Again the vapor pressure was low. The Board unanimously voted to take no action.

Adipic Acid
Chronic fish toxicity and RFD are high. ScoreCard ranked this chemical in the lowest percentile. TLV 5mg - same as nuisance dust. It is used in plasticizers and is also a food ingredient in jelly. The Board unanimously voted to take no action.

Propionic Anhydride
The Board compared this chemical to Butyric acid. It is persistent in air. The Board unanimously voted to take no action on this chemical.

Sodium Methylate
Sodium Methylate is persistent in air. The Board reviewed the available data and unanimously voted to take no action on this chemical.

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
2,2,4- Trimethylpentane is persistent in sediment. The Board unanimously voted to retain this chemical.

Next Meeting

Suggestions were made during the meeting regarding more efficient use of time. It was suggested that members be assigned no more than 5 chemicals each and that they come to the next meeting prepared with supplemental information about their assigned chemicals. It was decided that two members would work on each chemical. The members present agreed to this. Prior to the next meeting, Heather will assign no more than 5 chemicals to each Board member pair to work on.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Following Meeting: Tuesday December 4, 2007

Adjourn