SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
The primary role of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) is to consider petitions to add or delete chemicals from the TURA chemical list and make recommendations accordingly. TURI supports the work of the SAB as described in Chapter 211, Section 6, line 496 of the TURA statute and otherwise requested by the legislature. The governing body of TURA may call on the SAB for scientific or technical advice concerning other TURA-related issues, including the designation of substances as higher hazard or lower hazard.
Call for Information: The TURA Science Advisory Board will be discussing Trans DCE and a potential category of aryl phosphates beginning in October 2024. TURI is gathering information and welcomes scientific information contributed by stakeholders. Please send information to Heather Tenney.
Current Topics
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quaternary ammonium compounds (“QACs” or “quats”) are a broad class of several hundred chemicals. QACs were first discovered in the early 1940s and used mainly as active ingredients in antimicrobials, disinfectants, sanitizers, and surfactants. QACs also have many uses beyond disinfection, including wood preservatives, herbicides, eye drops, mouthwashes, nasal sprays, detergents and shampoos, dryer sheets and fabric softeners.
In reviewing the science about DDAC and ADBAC, the SAB had concerns related to these substances, including respiratory system irritation and inflammation including outcomes consistent with occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma; corrosive effects; hazard for aquatic life; and environmental fate and persistence. The SAB had additional concerns for reproductive effects and neural tube development.
After reviewing the science and the hazards of QACs, the TURA Science Advisory Board recommended in May 2021 that certain DDAC and ADBAC chemicals be added to the TURA list of Toxic or Hazardous Substances. The next steps in the TURA process will include a policy analysis and consideration by the TURA Advisory Committee and TURA Administrative Council.
Learn More: Quats Fact SheetCarbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers
The TURA Program has received a petition to list carbon nanotubes (both single-walled and multi-walled) and carbon nanofibers. The TURA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is beginning the process of reviewing these substances and is seeking additional information from stakeholders. For more information about nanomaterials, see TURI’s Nanomaterials Fact Sheet.
Call for Information: Please send information to Heather Tenney.
Flame Retardants
At eight meetings between March 2023 and June 2024, the TURA Science Advisory Board discussed flame retardant chemicals in order to provide advice to MassDEP as required under the 2020 Law: AN ACT TO PROTECT CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND FIREFIGHTERS FROM HARMFUL FLAME RETARDANTS. A summary of that work is provided here and the collection of advice and summary statements provided to MassDEP is available here.
Please direct questions to Heather Tenney.
PFAS – per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances
PFAS – per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – represent a category of thousands of chemicals that are widely used in manufacturing and consumer products, and detected in drinking water. Often described as “forever chemicals” because they never fully break down in the environment, PFAS affect the endocrine and metabolic system, including the liver and thyroid.
SAB Review of Scientific Data on PFAS
The SAB Reviewed scientific data on PFAS compiled by TURI on human health and environmental effects on specific PFAS. The SAB is further considered additional PFAS that break down into the specific PFAS they have already reviewed. The SAB has evaluated the data and recommended listing the class of PFAS on the TURA list.
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