September 25, 2013
Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
September 25, 2013
DEP Boston, EOC Conference Room
12:00 PM
Members present: Dave Williams (Chair), Martha Mittelstaedt, Amy Cannon, Ken Weinberg, Robin Dodson, Christine Rioux
Others present: Mary Butow (TURI), Liz Harriman (TURI), Heather Tenney (TURI), Carol Rowan-West (DEP), John Raschko (OTA), Sean Moynihan (MCTA), Robert Barter (ExxonMobil Biomedical Science), Tsedash Zewdie (DEP), Margaret Gorman (ACC)
Members not present: Larry Boise (Vice-Chair), Hilary Hackbart, Igor Linkov
Welcome and Introductions
Program Updates
• The Program hosted two workshops: 9/24 Aerospace & Defense, 9/25 REACH and RoHS.
• TURI prepared a list of the More Hazardous substances for the Advisory Committee to comment on regarding chemical priorities.
• The Methylene Chloride regulation package is currently at the Governor’s Office. Public comment period will be in November.
• TURI’s upcoming CE Conference, Wednesday, November 21, will focus on TUR planning and improving plans.
Approve June Meeting Minutes
Vote: Approved: 4 in favor, 2 abstentions.
Consider n-propyl bromide (nPB) as potential higher hazard substance
Heather reviewed the current status of nPB since it had been listed in 2009 and considered ‘uncategorized’. The NTP findings of ‘clear evidence of carcinogenicity’, and proposed lowering of the TLV from 10 ppm to 0.1ppm by ACGIH were highlighted. Also, Heather had reached out to Dr. Stelljes for comments since the NIOSH poster he referenced from the last meeting was not a part of the ACGIH recommendation.
The Board reviewed the comparison sheet (with Methylene Chloride/TCE/PCE), which had been requested in the previous meeting, point by point and commented on similarities in the key endpoints.
The Board listed the following from that review:
• PBT Profiler information comparable to TCE
• Vapor Pressure < Methylene Chloride and > TCE, PCE
• NTP pending recommendation (similar designations for the other chemicals)
• Neurotoxicity consistent across the board
• Reproductive Toxicity – nPB was only chemical on the Prop 65 list
• LD50/LC50 values were comparable
• NOAEL for hepatotoxicity of 200 ppm is same as Methylene Chloride
• Slightly larger ODP
• ACGIH value lower than the rest at 10ppm
• Hematotoxicity
Motion: Move to add n-propyl bromide to the SAB More Hazardous List and make a recommendation to the Administrative Council to make n-propyl bromide a Higher Hazard Substance.
Vote: 6 in favor.
Key factors in decision:
• NTP pending recommendation (similar designations for the other chemicals)
• Neurotoxicity consistent across the board
• Reproductive Toxicity – nPB was only chemical on the Prop 65 list
• NOAEL for hepatotoxicity of 200 ppm is same as Methylene Chloride
• ACGIH value lower than the rest at 10ppm
• Hematotoxicity
Consider Ethyl acetate as potential lower hazard substance
Program staff reviewed the status of Lower Hazard substances (LHS) and the benefits to companies for switching to them. LHS often serve as guidance for companies looking to switch away from the use of higher hazard substances.
The Board requested an EHS comparison sheet with butyl acetate, iso-butyl acetate, and amyl acetate.
Program staff will update and circulate the latest sheet of SAB decisions/recommendations.
A typo in the EHS sheet was identified for the NOEL, value should read 9x102. The Board also asked for further information on the suspected neurotoxicant designation.
The Board will resume discussion of ethyl acetate at the December meeting.
CERCLA Categories: Phthalate esters
Program staff reviewed the status of the discussion on phthalate esters and that the DEP was asking the SAB to provide guidance with regard to which phthalates from the category are a concern from an EHS standpoint.
The Board reviewed the detailed EHS sheet for 60 substances, and a table focused on the selected endpoints of concern; liver toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption. Further the Board reviewed a summary slide which highlighted the substances by carbon count/abbreviation which exhibited these health effects.
Industry representatives expressed concern that negative findings were not represented in the tables. It was noted that the Board received the information that industry provided and it was available to them on the Lib Guide. Further discussion about the process identified some areas of improvement with regard to both including additional data and also identifying key articles the Board can focus on to resolve remaining areas of uncertainty.
The nature of phthalates being “mixtures” was emphasized. It was noted that the CAS#’s and mixtures are based on the alcohol.
Questions remained with regard to the mechanism of toxicity with regard to reproductive effects. In addition, the Board would like further information on liver toxicity.
The Board decided to review the following substances in greater detail for the next meeting – with the selected endpoints in mind (liver toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption):
DMEP - Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate - #117-82-8
DAP - Diallyl phthalate - #131-17-9
DnOP - Di-n-octyl phthalate - #117-84-0
DINP - Diisononyl phthalate - #28553-12-0; 68515-48-0
Din911P - 1,2‐Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1‐nonyl 2‐undecyl ester, branched and linear - #111381-91-0
DPHP - Di‐2‐propyl heptyl phthalate - #53306-54-0
DIDP - Diisodecyl phthalate - #26761‐40‐0; 68515‐49‐1
DUP - Diundecyl phthalate - #3648‐20‐2
DIUP - Diundecyl phthalate, branched and linear - #85507‐79‐5
DTDP - Ditridecyl phthalate & 1,2‐Benzenedicarboxylic acid, di‐C11‐14‐branched alkyl esters, C13‐rich - #119-06-2; 68515-47-9
Heather will divide the Board into teams of two and assign substances to the teams for further review. This information will be made available on the Lib Guide for the Board to access. If it is the case that there is too much information, e.g. 20 papers, to be reviewed for a given pair of substances, the Board requested that consideration of different endpoints be spread out over the course of two meetings. This will be determined in the coming weeks as the information is assembled for review.
Industry requested advance notice for data tables in order to provide additional input where uncertainty remains. They have indicated they need lead time of one month. Program staff will do their best to accommodate this request in conjunction with respecting the needs of the Board for time to review information as well.
Next Meeting
Wednesday, December 4, 12PM (tentative)
Handouts (limited copies available):
• TURI – Ortho Phthalate Esters Scientific Data Sorted by Carbon Chain Length (Excel Sheet)
• TURI – Reproductive Toxicity/Liver/Endocrine Table for Ortho Phthalate Esters by Carbon Chain Length (Endpoint sheet)
• TURI – Selected Ortho Phthalate Esters by Selected Endpoints (Endpoint slide)
• TURI – Ethyl acetate EHS Summary
• TURI - nPB EHS Comparison with TCE/PCE/MeCl2 Sheet (Updated 9/13)