September 17, 2014

Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2014
Saltonstall Building, 9th Floor, OTA Conference Room
12:30 PM

Members present: Dave Williams (Chair), Larry Boise (Vice-Chair), Christine Rioux, Robin Dodson, Kenneth Weinberg, Hilary Hackbart

Others present: Mary Butow (TURI), Liz Harriman (TURI), Heather Tenney (TURI), Rick Reibstein (OTA), Trisha McCarthy (ACC), Steve Rosario (ACC), John Raschko (OTA), Carol Rowan-West (DEP), Christy Foran (Army Corp. of Engineers), Ralph Parod (BASF), Beverly Andersen, Bill Robert (BASF), Sean Moynihan (MCTA), Jennifer Foreman (ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences), Stephanie Snyder (Bayer Material Science)

Members not present: Igor Linkov, Amy Cannon

Welcome and Introductions

Program Updates
•    An industry grant has been awarded to International Rectifier for converting nPB to aqueous cleaning.  Other academic and community grants have been awarded.
•    The program is soliciting nominations for recognition as part of TURA Program’s 25th anniversary – companies and community groups who have done outstanding TUR are encouraged to apply.
•    An article has been published in Products Finishing on the Hexavalent Chromium supply chain sealant work.
•    The auto shop, 912 Auto, has hosted a TUR demonstration (another to take place next week) of their paint gun washer.  This system replaced their solvent-based paint gun washer.
•    A wet cleaner window decal has been designed and supplied to dedicated wet cleaners.
•    The Advisory Committee and Administrative Council are meeting on Friday, 9/19/14, and taking up the topic of fee increases.
•    TURA program education and training brochure for FY2015 was circulated.
•    The Administrative Council voted to designate the following substances as HHS: Dimethyl formamide, Hydrogen fluoride, Cyanide and Cyanide compounds, TDI, and n-Propyl Bromide.  The proposed regulations will be released for public comment.

Approve June Meeting Minutes
The term “decreased” was added to the chain of events listed at the bottom of page 1 to read: “Dr. North drew a diagram showing the impact of anti-androgenic phthalates: progression begins with disruption of an enzyme which inhibits testosterone synthesis -> decreased testosterone production -> decreased Androgen receptor activation -> hypospadias.” 

Vote: Approved (as amended): 5 in favor, 1 abstention.

CERCLA Categories: Phthalate esters
Program staff reviewed modifications that had been made to the document since the June meeting. The goal of this meeting is to update section summaries and provide comments on the cumulative effects and low dose effects sections.

There was a comment to add the Christiansen 2009 paper from the CPSC report on DINP (CPSC 2010g – page 3, 2nd paragraph) to the table and Library Guide.  Dr. Jennifer Foreman from ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences representing ACC, noted missing information for cumulative effects re: negative effects for higher molecular weight phthalate esters.  Dr. Foreman noted that she would send citations for the studies she referenced in her comments.

Draft summary statements were recorded.  Program will acquire the EPA May 2014 study – Christiansen 2014 – which addresses cumulative effects.  A member noted that Lee and Koo highlights limitation of animal studies.
It was noted that the science was not as developed when the category was first listed. DEP wants to make the best decision based on current science. 

There was a suggestion to organize the presentation of data in the paper by carbon chain length, e.g. C4-C6 show certain effects, C7+ shows other effects. organized proposal was made to organize information in the summary as follows:

    1 – positive
    2 – negative
    3 – data gap
    4 – hypotheses (thresholds of scientific evidence)

The Board wants the thought process to be explicit. 

Low Dose Effects - tabled.

Meta/Para Discussion - tabled.

Diisocyanates Category: Review of Component Substance Data
Program staff reviewed the current purpose of review of the EPA EPCRA Diisocyanates Category. MDI is individually listed on the SAB’s More Hazardous Chemicals list, but is currently reportable as part of the EPCRA TRI Diisocyanates Category (noted that TDI isomers are individually listed and reportable separately under EPCRA). Since MDI is reportable as part of the Diisocyanates Category now, should MDI be separated from the category so that it could be recommended as a HHS, or does the entire category have similar effects and warrant categorization as a Higher Hazard Substance.

The substances in the EPCRA Diisocyanates category were reviewed, and it was noted that some currently used CAS numbers for MDI mixtures are not included. Program staff will follow-up with EPA regarding the history and any plans to update the category.  For the next meeting information will be gathered to compare the vapor pressures of the various diisocyanate materials. 

Industry representatives expressed concern about the proposed designation of TDI as a HHS substance.  They inquired as to which endpoints the decision was based on.  They noted some concerns with information in the TDI policy analysis, specifically the IARC 2B rating, and noted that TDI is not used in spray applications.

Regarding TDI’s carcinogenicity classification, a board member noted that the critical effect would have been pulmonary/sensitization, not carcinogenicity, and if the carcinogenicity classification changed, it would still be a “more hazardous chemical.” 
While discussing sensitization, an Industry representative noted increased medical surveillance.  A board member inquired how that would reduce sensitization, and then speculated that if workers are removed from the workplace it could reduce the impact.  Board members reiterated the focus on inherent hazard, and that controls and education of workers help reduce exposure, but do not change the inherent hazard of the substance.

Motion to Adjourn.

Next Meeting
Wednesday, November 12th, 12:30PM (tentative)

Handouts (limited copies available):
•    TURI – Phthalate Ester Summary Document draft – Version 3
•    TURI – Isocyanates Scientific Data (Excel Sheet)
•    ACC – Comments for Use by Massachusetts TURA SAB Regarding Diisocyanates