Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Preliminary Rulemaking In California For Hydraulic Fracturing Operations

On December 18, the California Department of Conservation/Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources released a draft of regulations covering hydraulic fracturing. The Division says the draft regulations are a "discussion draft," meaning the version does not begin a formal rulemaking process, but rather, starts the discussion by key stakeholders, such as industry, environmental groups, regulators, and any interested members of the public. The discussions will help prepare for the more formal rulemaking process, which is expected to begin by February 2013. The Division will accept written comments until 45 days after the formal rulemaking begins.

The discussion draft regulations touch on topics such as:

  • Pre-fracturing well-testing;
  • Advance notification;
  • Monitoring during and after drilling operations;
  • Disclosure of fracturing fluid materials;
  • Confidential business information; and
  • Handling and Storage of hydraulic fracturing fluids;
The proposed regulations would require hydraulic fracturing operators to publicly disclose detailed information about their operations, including a complete list of chemicals, and their concentrations. If the material is a trade secret, then operators must inform the public of its chemical family or use a similar method to describe it.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

EPA and Consumer Product Safety Commission Collaboration On Nanomaterial Risk Research

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced their collaboration in a research effort to assess any potential impacts of nanomaterials on human health and the environment. Nanomaterials appear in many household products ranging from clothing to building materials.

EPA's collaborative research with CSPC is part of a larger effort that focuses on:

  • Identifying, characterizing and quantifying the origins of nanomaterials
  • Studying biological processes affected by nanomaterials that could influence risk
  • Determining how nanomaterials interact with complex systems in the human body and the environment
  • Involving industry to develop sustainable manufacturing processes
  • Sharing knowledge through innovative online applications that allow for rapid feedback and accelerated research progress

CPSC, in working with other federal agencies, ensures that common public health concerns are met and will use research findings to inform:

  • Protocol development to assess the potential release of nanomaterials from consumer products
  • Credible rules for consumer product testing to evaluate exposure
  • Determination of the potential public health impacts of nanomaterial used in consumer products

This research is a part of the U.S. government efforts to assess the potential risks of nanomaterials. These efforts are coordinated by the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). NNI is a collaborative project comprised of 25 agencies, including EPA and CPSC.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

NIOSHA Recommended Medical Surveillance For Some Healthcare Workers

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is recommending addition protections for healthcare workers who prepare, administer, or transport hazardous drugs or dispose of hazardous drug waste  To minimize or prevent exposure to chemical hazards, NIOSH is recommending that employers establish a medical surveillance program as part of a comprehensive prevention program that utilizes engineering controls, good work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and training to protect workers.

Medical surveillance involves collecting and interpreting data to detect changes in the health status of working populations potentially exposed to hazardous substances.The elements of a medical surveillance program are used to establish an initial baseline of workers' health and then monitor future health as it relates to their potential exposure to hazardous agents. This information can be used to identify and correct prevention failures leading to disease. In particular, an effective surveillance program begins with a hazard identification program that is integrated with surveillance for disease or illness.

NIOSH has indicated that for workers exposed to hazardous drugs, the medical surveillance program should include:

  • Reproductive and general health questionnaires completed at the time of hire and periodically thereafter.
  • History of drug handling as an estimate of prior and current exposure, including dates of duty assignment related to hazardous drugs and similar types of information.
  • A plan to provide initial baseline clinical evaluation, including appropriately targeted medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing for workers identified as being potentially exposed to hazardous drugs that anticipates their potential toxicities.
  • A follow-up plan as needed for workers who have shown health changes suggesting toxicity or who have experienced an acute exposure (substantial skin contact or inhalation exposure, cleaning a large spill [a broken IV bag, leaking IV line], etc.).

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Information Request For Hydraulic Fracturing Study

EPA has published a request for information in the Federal Register asking the public to submit data and scientific literature on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Congress has requested that EPA to conduct scientific research to examine the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources, in response to public concern.

The Agency is undertaking a study to understand the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, if any, and to identify the factors that may affect the severity and frequency of such impacts. The scope of the study includes the full hydraulic fracturing water lifecycle, from water acquisition, through the mixing of chemicals and injection of fracturing fluids, to the post-fracturing stage (including the management of flowback and produced water), to its ultimate treatment and disposal. The study will include a review of the published literature, analysis of existing data, scenario evaluation and modeling, laboratory studies, and case studies.

Interested persons are requested to submit scientific analyses, studies, and other pertinent scientific information. The agency will accept data literature until April 30, 2013.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Use of e-NEPA System Required After October 1, 2012

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the release of e-NEPA, a new online system that allows federal agencies to submit environmental impact statements (EISs) electronically. Traditionally, EISs have been submitted to EPA in hard copy. e-NEPA eliminates the need to mail or deliver copies of EISs to EPA headquarters, reducing printing, shipping, and delivery costs. EPA also belives it will save time through electronic filing and e-confirmation and improves transparency, allowing EPA to post EIS documents to EPA’s website.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental considerations into their decision-making processes by identifying the environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to their proposed actions. To meet NEPA requirements federal agencies prepare detailed analyses known as EISs. EPA reviews, provides comments, and maintains a national filing system for EISs.

Beginning on October 1, 2012, all agencies are required to use the e-NEPA filing system.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Monday, October 8, 2012

FTC Issues Revised Green Guides For Environmental Attribute Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued revised "Green Guides" that are designed to help marketers ensure that the claims they make about the environmental attributes of their products are truthful and non-deceptive. FTC has modified and clarified sections of the previous Guides and provided new guidance on environmental claims that were not common when the Guides were last reviewed.

Among other modifications, the Guides caution marketers not to make broad, unqualified claims that a product is "environmentally friendly" or "eco-friendly" because the FTC's consumer perception study confirms that such claims are likely to suggest that the product has specific and far-reaching environmental benefits. The revised Guides advise marketers not to make an unqualified degradable claim for a solid waste product unless they can prove that the entire product or package will completely break down and return to nature within one year after customary disposal.

The FTC cautions that items destined for landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities will not degrade within a year, so marketers should not make unqualified degradable claims for these items; and clarify guidance on compostable, ozone, recyclable, recycled content, and source reduction claims.The Guides also contain new sections on Certifications and seals of approval; carbon offsets; free-of claims; non-toxic claims; made with renewable energy claims; and made with renewable materials claims.

The FTC first issued its Green Guides in 1992 to help marketers avoid making misleading environmental claims. It revised the Guides in 1996 and 1998, and proposed further revisions in October 2010 to take into account recent changes in the marketplace. The guidance they provide includes:
  • General principles that apply to all environmental marketing claims;
  • How consumers are likely to interpret particular claims, and how marketers can substantiate these claims; and
  • How marketers can qualify their claims to avoid deceiving consumers.

FTC says the revised Guides issued take into account nearly 340 unique comments and more than 5,000 total comments received since the FTC released the proposed revised Guides in the fall of 2010. They also include information gathered from three public workshops and a study of how consumers perceive and understand environmental claims.

The Green Guides are not agency rules or regulations, but describe the types of environmental claims the FTC may or may not find deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Under Section 5, the agency can take enforcement action against deceptive claims, which ultimately can lead to Commission orders prohibiting deceptive advertising and marketing and fines if those orders are later violated.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Minnesota Based Grocery Chain Awarded For Improved Refrigerant Handling

Minnesota-based Supervalu, which operates Albertsons and Lucky stores, earned this year’s Distinguished Partner Award. The Distinguished Partner Award is given to the supermarket partner company that goes above and beyond to advance the mission of the GreenChill Partnership. Albertsons Carpinteria, Calif., store was recognized with GreenChill’s prestigious Best of the Best Award, given to the best new GreenChill-certified store each year. The Carpenteria store recently achieved Platinum-Level store certification, the highest certification level that can be obtained for advanced refrigeration technology that prevents harmful refrigerant emissions. It is the first store in the nation to use a new generation of low global warming refrigerants.

GreenChill is an EPA partnership with supermarkets to transition to low-impact refrigerants; reduce the amount of refrigerant used, and eliminate refrigerant leaks. GreenChill has 54 partners with almost 8,000 stores, representing over 20% of the supermarket industry.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Monday, August 6, 2012

Microbial Risk Assessment (MRA) Guideline

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced the release of the Microbial Risk Assessment (MRA) Guideline. This new MRA Guideline lays out an approach to conducting assessments of the risks posed by pathogens in food and water. Pathogens ingested in food and water can result in acute gastrointestinal-related illnesses; some gastrointestinal-related illnesses can result in long-term and permanent health effects as well as premature death. This new guideline will improve the quality of the data collected by public health scientists charged with protecting Americans from pathogen-related risks in food and water.

Formal risk assessments for food, water, and environmentally-relevant chemicals have been undertaken for decades. However, an overarching microbial risk assessment guideline has not been available until now. The guideline announced today meets this need by providing comprehensive, yet specific and descriptive information for developing assessments of microbial risk in food and water.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Flame Retardant Alternatives Report

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a draft report on alternatives to the toxic flame retardant chemical known as decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE). Developed with public participation under the Agency's Design for the Environment (DfE) program, the comprehensive assessment profiles the environmental and human health hazards of 30 alternatives to decaBDE. DecaBDE is a common flame retardant used in electronics, vehicles, and building materials. Because it can cause adverse developmental effects, persist in the environment, and bioaccumulate in people and animals, it will be phased out of production by December 2013.

EPA's new report was intended to help manufacturers identify alternatives to decaBDE. EPA will work directly with manufacturers to investigate chemical and non-chemical alternatives to flame retardants. EPA said the draft report is the latest in a series of actions it is taking to address flame retardants made with bromine. Other actions include:
  • June 1, 2012: EPA released a TSCA work plan of 18 chemicals which the agency intends to review and use to develop risk assessments in 2013 and 2014, including three flame retardant chemicals. EPA is currently developing a strategy, scheduled for completion by the end of this year that will address these three and a broader set of flame retardant chemicals. This effort will aid the agency in focusing risk assessments on those flame retardant chemicals that pose the greatest potential concerns. EPA anticipates initiating the risk assessments on this category of chemicals in 2013.
  • April 2, 2012: EPA proposed actions under TSCA that will require manufacturers, importers, and processors of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants to submit information to the agency for review before initiating any new uses of PBDEs after Dec 31, 2013. Those who continue to manufacture, import, or process after December 31, 2013, would be subject to a testing requirement under TSCA.
  • 2009: EPA developed action plans on PBDEs (including pentaBDE, octaBDE, and decaBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) that summarized available hazard, exposure, and use information; outlined potential risks; and identified the specific steps the agency is pursuing under the TSCA. The alternatives analysis for decaBDE was included in the action plan.

According to EPA, alternatives to decaBDE characterized in the report are already on the market and will be used increasingly as decaBDE is phased out, but they also have differing hazard characteristics and are associated with trade-offs. For example, some alternatives that appear to have a relatively positive human health profile may be more persistent in the environment. Some alternatives appear to be less toxic than decaBDE. Preliminary data suggests that these flame retardants may have a lower potential for bioaccumulation in people and the environment. However, the Agency points out that these health and environmental profiles are largely based on computer-model generated estimates, and that the models are limited in their ability to predict concern. Laboratory testing and ongoing environmental monitoring is necessary to fully understand the potential for concern associated with these chemicals.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment. Caltha Environmental Review Website

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Revised Navy Energy Policy

On July 10, U.S. Navy announced a new shore energy policy. A complete revision from the previous energy policy published in 1994, the Shore Energy Management Instruction codifies the Navy's strategy to ensure energy security meets federal mandates and executive orders and achieves Department of the Navy (DoN) shore energy goals.

The new policy is necessary, according to the Navy, because naval forces require constant support from shore installations. The Navy wants to mitigate its vulnerabilities related to the electrical grid, such as outages from natural disasters and man-made events, by lowering consumption, integrating renewable energy sources, and increasing control of energy supply and distribution. Energy reliability, resiliency, and redundancy are essential components of the Navy's Critical Infrastructure Protection program.

The revised policy includes specific responsibilities and actions that shore personnel must take in implementing the Navy Shore Energy program. Each Navy installation will have a tailored energy consumption reduction goal based on its unique energy situation. By increasing energy efficiency, the Navy hopes to reduce operating costs, multiply the impact of current and future alternative energy sources, and achieve renewable energy targets.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Report On Use of Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS).

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released its report examining the nation's use of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The report, titled “Federal Efforts to Reduce the Cost of Capturing and Storing Carbon Dioxide,” concludes that the initial costs of generating electricity with CCS would be “much more expensive than electricity produced by conventional coal-burning plants.”

According to the CBO, coal-fired power plants produce up to 45% of the usable electricity in the US, but they also account for a third of all U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is a major component in greenhouse gases, which have been associated with climate change. CCS is considered one option for coal-fired power plants to reduce their carbon emissions by “capturing” the CO2 produced when coal is burned, compressing it into a fluid, and storing it deep underground.

Although the process is in use in some industries, no CCS-equipped coal-fired power plants have been built on a commercial scale. Since 2005, lawmakers have given the Department of Energy (DOE) almost $7 billion to develop CCS technology, including its commercial viability, and reduce the cost of electricity generated by CCS-capable plants. The CBO concludes that unless funding to the DOE is substantially increased, or other policies are adopted to encourage utilities to invest in CCS, federal support is likely to play only a minor role in deployment of the technology.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Draft Nanomaterial Case Study Released For Comment

On July 2 , 2012, EPA announced a 60-day public comment period for EPA's case study on multiwalled carbon nanotubes in flame-retardant coatings used in upholstery textiles. The draft document on the study, issued by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), does not draw conclusions regarding potential risks or hazards of multiwalled carbon nanotubes; rather, it aims to identify what is known and unknown about the nanotubes to support future research. EPA says the draft document, which is being released for public comment and peer review, is not final. The Agency will consider comments it receives when finalizing the case study. In addition, EPA will hold an information exchange meeting to discuss the draft document and to provide information on the nanomaterial case study.

According to EPA, the draft document follows previous efforts on engineered nanoscale materials, or nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are materials that measure between 1 and 100 nanometers and often possess unusual, if not unique, properties that arise from their small size. Like all materials, EPA says, nanomaterials offer the potential for both benefits and risks.

EPA's 2007 Nanotechnology White Paper included the following recommendations regarding the risk assessment of nanomaterials:
  1.  Develop case studies based on publicly available information on one or several intentionally produced nanomaterials and identify information gaps to help map areas of research that would support the sick assessment process; and
  2. Hold a series of workshops involving a substantial number of experts from several disciplines to assist in these processes.

To meet these recommendations, NCEA has also prepared the Nanomaterial case studies “Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and in Topical Sunscreen” [Final] in 2010, and “Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray” [External Review Draft] in 2012.

The comment period for the draft document begins July 2, 2012, and ends August 31, 2012. The public information exchange meeting will be held on October 29, 2012 at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Four New Chemicals Added To California Prop 65 List

Effective June 22, 2012, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) within the California Environmental Protection Agency is adding benzophenone (CAS No. 119-61-9), coconut oil diethanolamine condensate (cocamide diethanolamine) (CAS No. 68603-42-9), diethanolamine (CAS No. 111-42-2), and 2-methylimidazole (CAS No. 693-98-1) to the list of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).

The updated list of Prop 65 chemicals now includes these compounds. The basis for the listing of benzophenone, coconut oil diethanolamine condensate (cocamide diethanolamine), diethanolamine, and 2-methylimidazole was described in a public notice published in the January 20, 2012, in the California Regulatory Notice Register. The publication of the notice initiated a public comment period that closed on April 6, 2012.

 Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Proposed Restriction On Chromium In Leather Products

Denmark has submitted a report proposing a restriction on the placing on the market of articles of leather coming into direct and prolonged or repetitive contact with the skin if the leather contains chromium VI (chromium +6) in concentrations above a certain limit. Chromium VI is not intentionally used in the preparation of leather from skins and hides and in the manufacturing of articles of leather, but may be formed during the processing. The presence of chromium VI in tanned leather and articles of tanned leather can be avoided, under properly controlled conditions.

According to the report, chromium VI is known amongst other effects to cause severe allergic contact dermatitis in humans and to be able to elicit dermatitis at very low concentrations. The dossier concludes that extractable chromium VI from shoes and other articles of leather represents a risk for the development of contact allergy to chromium for the consumers and workers.

Surveys of chromium VI in articles of leather in some of the Members States have demonstrated that more than 30% of the tested articles of leather contained chromium VI in concentrations above 3 mg/kg (which is the proposed concentration limit). ECHA has begun the public consultation on the restriction report, which will end on September 16, 2012. However, ECHA encourages interested parties to give their comments by June 1, 2012.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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ECHA Proposes Restrictions On 1,4-dichlorobenzene Products

At the request of the European Commission, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has submitted a report proposing a restriction on the placing on the market and use of 1,4-dichlorobenzene-based air fresheners and toilet blocks. These products are mainly used to deodorize public and domestic toilets.

1,4-dichlorobenzene has been classified as a category 2 carcinogen and affects the kidneys and respiratory tract. The dossier concludes that where 1,4-dichlorobenzene products are used, domestic users of toilet blocks and air fresheners as well as toilet attendants and cleaners are exposed above safe levels. This means that the risks from this substance in these two groups cannot be adequately controlled. The Annex XV report contains the background and justifications for the proposed restriction. It includes the description of identified risks, information on alternatives, the effectiveness of the restriction in reducing the risks and its costs.

Interested parties can comment on both the restriction proposal and the associated report using the webform on ECHA's website. Comments will be reviewed and taken into account by the ECHA Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC). The final opinions of the two committees on the proposed restriction are scheduled to be available by June 2013. Based on these opinions, the European Commission will take a decision on whether to introduce these restrictions into the REACH Regulation.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Monday, June 11, 2012

EPA Selects Priority Chemicals For Assessment Under TSCA in 2013-2014

As part of its existing chemicals management program, EPA has listed 83 chemicals as a part of its Work Plan under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Seven of those chemicals were chosen for further risk assessment in 2012, and EPA has identified 18 more of the chemicals for assessment in 2013 and 2014. According to EPA, the chemicals were chosen for a variety of reasons, including specific hazards such as potential carcinogenicity; potential to be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic; chemicals found in biomonitoring; or chemicals reported in consumer products.

The chemicals include five chlorinated hydrocarbons, three flame retardants, and four fragrance chemicals. In order to conduct risk assessments on the 18 chemicals, EPA will follow the procedures listed in the TSCA Work Plan Chemicals Methods Document and will use information available from a variety of sources. The Agency will still accept additional relevant information on the chemicals, such as unpublished studies not already available through the existing literature and information on uses and potential exposures. All information should be submitted to EPA on or before August 31.

The 2013 - 2014 Work Plan Chemicals are as follows:

  • 1-Bromopropane
  • Five chlorinated hydrocarbons: 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,2-Dichloropropane trans-1-2-Dichloroethylene,1,1,2-Trichloroethane
  • 4-tert-Octylphenol
  • Three flame retardants: Bis(2-Ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), 2-Ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB), Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP)
  • Four fragrance chemicals: Ethanone, 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro- 2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-4-sec-Butyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, Ethanone, 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro- 2,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-, Ethanone, 1-(1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro- 2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-, Ethanone, 1-(1,2,3,4,6,7,8,8a-octahydro- 2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-
  • 4-sec-Butyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol
  • 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol
  • P,p'-Oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide)
  • Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4)

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Health Assessment For Ammonia

U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for ammonia. The draft assessment will be available for public comment for 60 days and will be sent for independent expert peer review. When the assessment is final it will be posted to the IRIS database. IRIS is a publicly available online database that provides high quality science-based human health assessments used to inform the agency’s decisions on protecting public health and the environment.

Ammonia is used in agricultural fertilizers, the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and explosives, water purification, household cleaners, as a refrigerant, and in many industries. Scientific studies show that ammonia can affect the respiratory system. The draft assessment includes an estimate of the amount of ammonia a person can inhale daily throughout a lifetime that is not likely to cause harmful health effects, which is less stringent than the current value for ammonia on IRIS.

The draft IRIS assessment for ammonia represents a milestone for EPA in implementing the April 2011 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recommendations for improving IRIS assessments. The draft assessment uses a new streamlined document structure; includes a template for describing the literature search approach; identifies the strengths and weaknesses of analyzed studies; and describes how EPA applied their guidance, methods, and criteria in developing the assessment.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Monday, May 21, 2012

Integrated Risk information System Acrylonitrile Assessment

EPA has developed a new schedule for completing the Integrated Risk information System (IRIS) acrylonitrile assessment. The new schedule is:

 
  • External Peer Review and Public Availability - 2013/2nd Quarter
  • Final Agency Review/ Interagency Science Discussion and Posting Final Assessment - 2014/1st Quarter

 
EPA released its draft IRIS assessment for acrylonitrile for public comment and external peer review in the June 30, 2011, Federal Register. The Agency has decided to make further revisions to the chemical assessment to more fully address scientific issues in the assessment. The revised draft acrylonitrile assessment will be released for public comment and independent expert peer review along with the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee that is being formed under the auspices of the Science Advisory Board.

 
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Friday, May 18, 2012

Final Report on Alternatives to Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the final report on alternatives to nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) through the Design for the Environment (DfE) Alternatives Assessment Program. NPEs are widely used surfactants with a range of industrial applications and are commonly found in consumer products, such as laundry detergents. When released into the environment, they can be persistent and highly toxic to aquatic organisms. The report identifies eight safer alternatives to NPEs that meet EPA’s criteria for safer surfactants.

The report provides information on the availability of safer alternatives, DfE’s hazard evaluation method for surfactants, and the progress being made in adopting safer surfactants. Using rigorous hazard-based criteria, EPA evaluated hundreds of chemicals for their biodegradability and their potential effects to aquatic organisms.

DfE’s Alternatives Assessment Program helps industries choose safer chemicals and offers a basis for informed decision-making by providing a detailed comparison of the potential human health and environmental effects of chemical alternatives. To date, the DfE program has labeled more than 2,700 safer products, including detergents that contain only safer surfactants and other chemicals. All companies participating in the DfE Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative have eliminated NPEs from their product lines to meet DfE criteria.

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NAS Review of Integrated Risk Information System

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will conduct a comprehensive review of the agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program’s assessment development process. In April 2011, NAS recommended several ways to improve the development of IRIS assessments. EPA is implementing these recommendations using a phased approach. Future draft IRIS assessments released for public comment and peer review will reflect implementing NAS recommendations.

NAS will conduct a review of the IRIS assessment development process and the changes that are currently being made or planned by EPA in response to NAS’ April 2011 recommendations. NAS will also review current methods for weight of evidence analyses and recommend approaches for weighing scientific evidence for chemical hazard identification.

EPA’s IRIS program provides health profiles of chemicals to which the public may be exposed from releases to air, water, and land and through the use and disposal of chemicals. IRIS assessments inform EPA rulemakings, and the release of final IRIS assessments is consistent with EPA efforts to improve health and protect the environment.

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Friday, April 27, 2012

NEPAssist Mapping Tool For NEPA Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the public release of a web-based mapping tool developed for Federal agencies to facilitate more efficient and effective environmental reviews and project planning. The tool, NEPAssist, is part of an initiative developed by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to modernize and reinvigorate federal agency implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) through innovation, public participation and transparency. NEPAssist draws information from publicly available federal, state, and local datasets, allowing NEPA practitioners, stakeholders and the public to view information about environmental conditions within the area of a proposed project quickly and easily at early stages of project development.
In October 2011, NEPAssist was selected as a White House Council on Environmental Quality National Environmental Policy Act Pilot Project to improve the efficiency of Federal environmental reviews. CEQ has selected five NEPA Pilot Projects that will employ innovative approaches to completing environmental reviews that can be replicated across the Federal Government. On Thursday, April 26, 2012, EPA will host a webinar to demonstrate how to use NEPAssist.

NEPA requires all federal agencies to incorporate environmental considerations in their planning and decision-making through a systematic interdisciplinary process. NEPAssist is designed to help promote collaboration and early involvement in the NEPA process by raising important environmental issues at the earliest stages of project development. The mapping tool can be used by Federal agencies to identify alternative project locations, to avoid and minimize impacts, as well as identify potential mitigation areas.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Friday, February 17, 2012

Non-Cancer Science Assessment For Dioxins Finalized

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its non-cancer science assessment for dioxins, which was last reviewed in the 1980s. Dioxins are toxic chemicals that naturally exist in the environment and can be released into the environment through forest fires, backyard burning of trash, certain industrial activities, and residue from past commercial burning of waste. The assessment findings show that generally, over a person’s lifetime, current exposure to dioxins does not pose a significant health risk.

EPA has identified many known sources of dioxins. Working with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, EPA has taken steps to address dioxin. This includes research on dioxin exposure and effects; assessing dioxin human health risks; measuring dioxin levels in the environment; and reducing exposure to dioxin.

The non-cancer health assessment for dioxin could be considered in a range of agency activities, from establishing cleanup levels at Superfund sites, to reviewing the dioxin drinking water standard as part of EPA’s regularly scheduled review process, to evaluating whether additional Clean Air Act limits on dioxin emissions are warranted.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Final Health Assessment For Tetrachloroethylene (Perc) Released

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final health assessment for tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene, or perc) to EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database. The assessment replaces the 1988 IRIS assessment for perc and for the first time includes a hazard characterization for cancer effects. Perc is a chemical solvent widely used in the dry cleaning industry. It is also used in the cleaning of metal machinery and to manufacture some consumer products and other chemicals. The final assessment characterizes perc as a “likely human carcinogen.” The assessment provides estimates for both cancer and non-cancer effects associated with exposure to perc over a lifetime.

EPA did not believe that wearing clothes dry cleaned with perc will result in exposures which pose a risk of concern. EPA has already taken several actions to reduce exposure to perc. EPA has clean air standards for dry cleaners that use perc, including requirements that will phase-out the use of perc by dry cleaners in residential buildings by December 21, 2020. EPA also set limits for perc allowed in drinking water and levels for cleaning up perc at Superfund sites throughout the country, which will be updated in light of the final IRIS assessment.

In the future, the toxicity values reported in the perc IRIS assessment will be considered in:

• Establishing cleanup levels at Superfund sites where perc is a contaminant,
• Revising EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for perc in drinking water, and
• Evaluating whether to propose additional limits on air emissions of perc.

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