On October 1, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of “a new transparent process” intended to allow the public to review and comment on risk assessments and proposed registration decisions for pesticides. According to EPA, this expanded process will apply to all new pesticide active ingredients and first food uses, first outdoor uses, and first residential uses. Starting October 1, 2009, for certain registration actions, EPA will add...
On September 30, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the Nanomaterial Research Strategy (Strategy), which EPA describes as its new research strategy to understand better how manufactured nanomaterials may harm human health and the environment. The Strategy outlines what research EPA intends to support over the next several years to generate information about the safe use of nanotechnology and products that contain nanoscale materials. The...
Yesterday the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule that would align the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The HCS requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate chemical hazards and provide information to subsequent users. According to OSHA, it made a preliminary determination that the proposed HCS modifications...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA Ecology Center Creates Consumer Product Website — On September 16, 2009, the nonprofit environmental organization Ecology Center rolled out a new website designed to provide consumers with test data on common products. The new site, http://www.HealthyStuff.org, provides information on chemicals in common products. The site provides more than 15,000 test results on more than 5,000 common items, including pet products, women’s handbags, back-to-school...
October 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Launches Online Discussion,” Chemical Processing, October 2009.
Ever read a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) press release and say to yourself or others, “Gee, why is EPA pursuing that matter – there are a lot of other more important enforcement priorities?” Well, now is your chance to help shape EPA’s 2011- 2013 fiscal years enforcement priorities. EPA launched an online discussion forum on August 31 to receive input on future priorities for EPA’s National Enforcement Program....
Last night, in a speech at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the Obama Administration’s core principles for legislative reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In parallel with the legislative initiative, Jackson also announced EPA’s plans to strengthen its current chemical management program and increase the pace of its efforts to address chemicals that pose a risk to the public. ...
Today the American Chemical Society (ACS) held a briefing intended to provide a forum to explore the perspectives, roles, and activities of various stakeholders regarding reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). E. Donald Elliott, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, moderated the panel, which included Andy Ingrejas, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families; Sarah Brozena, American Chemistry Council (ACC); Roger McFadden, Staples; Kenneth Zarker, Washington State Department of Ecology; and...
On September 23, 2009, EHP-in-Press posted an article entitled “Potential for Occupational Exposure to Engineered Carbon-Based Nanomaterials in Environmental Laboratory Studies,” which states that laboratory workers may be at increased risk of exposure to engineered nanomaterials. The goal of the study was to assess the release of carbonaceous nanomaterials into the laboratory atmosphere during handling and sonication into environmentally-relevant matrices. The authors concluded that...
September 28, 2009
EPA Chemicals Office Needs More Resources, Former Assistant Administrators Suggest
The September 28, 2009, issue of BNA Daily Environment Report quotes James Aidala regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s need for additional resources to address chemicals....
The September 14/21, 2009, issue of Chemical Week quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding retailer environmental initiatives, which do not provide industry with the usual safeguards provided by regulatory initiatives....