On August 5-7, 2014, the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and George Washington University (GWU) co-hosted a Sustainable Futures (SF) Training Workshop at GWU’s campus in Washington, D.C.
During the sold out, three-day workshop, participants learned about a variety of tools, methods, and models that can be used to assess the hazard and potential exposure of chemicals. The intensive, hands-on training allowed attendees to utilize the EPA methods of hazard and risk screening for human health, ecotoxicity, and environmental fate, and learn directly from EPA professionals how best to apply these tools.
With the intense training on EPA's computer-based models, attendees can now identify potential risks with chemical substances early in the commercial development process and reduce risk by finding safer substitutes and/or processes before submitting them to EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) notification process. They can also better understand how EPA will review potential new chemical submissions — and develop notifications that anticipate potential issues that, left unaddressed, could delay the notification process and commercialization.
Presenters included Kelly Mayo-Bean, Kendra Moran, and Dr. Yin-tak Woo from EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), and Dr. Peter Ranslow of the Consortium for Environmental Risk Management (CERM).
BRAG and Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) are investigating opportunities for hosting additional training in the future, including sessions in California or other western regions.