October 1, 2009

Monthly Update for October 2009

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....
September 30, 2009

EPA Announces Principles for TSCA Reform

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. ...
September 29, 2009

ACS Holds Briefing on TSCA Reform

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...
September 29, 2009

Study Claims Occupational Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials May Be Possible

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 25, 2009

PEN Holds Meeting on Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation

On September 23, 2009, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Technologies (PEN) hosted a meeting on “Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies.” The program is part of a collaborative research project involving experts from the London School of Economics (LSE), Chatham House, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and PEN. The project is funded by a grant from the European Commission to support pilot...
September 24, 2009

PEN Holds Meeting on Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation

Yesterday the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Technologies (PEN) hosted a meeting on “Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies.” The program is part of a collaborative research project involving experts from the London School of Economics (LSE), Chatham House, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and PEN. The project is funded by a grant from the European Commission to support pilot projects on “Transatlantic...
September 22, 2009

EPA Signs Final Rule Requiring Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson signed a final rule that would require reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all sectors of the economy.  The prepublication version of the final rule states that it applies to fossil fuel suppliers and industrial gas suppliers, direct GHG emitters, and manufacturers of heavy-duty and off-road vehicles and engines.  The rule does not require control of GHG, “rather it...