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US EPA’s Chemical Management Program

Barbara Cunningham, US EPA

Sound Management of Chemicals Working Group MeetingTucson, Arizona March, 2008

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Overview Regulatory Framework New Chemicals Existing Chemicals

HPV Challenge Program SPP Commitments National Program Chemicals PFOS/PFOA

Other Recent Developments Nanotechnology CARE Electronics Work DfE and Informed Substitution

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The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

EPA is responsible for assuring that industrial chemicals for sale and use in the U.S. do not pose unacceptable risks to human health or to the environment.

Enacted in 1976, TSCA provides EPA with broad authority to: Maintain inventory of existing chemicals (originally more than

60,000, now more than 80,000 substances) Gather information on new and existing chemical substances

and mixtures Require testing of chemicals Screen and control unreasonable risks of new and existing

chemicals Coordinate with other Federal agencies

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North American Cooperation on Chemical Assessment and Management

At Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) Summit in August 2007, President Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon committed to specific goals to: Enhance regulatory cooperation among Canada, Mexico, U.S.

Accelerate and improve effectiveness of actions to safeguard health and environment

Provide cost-effectiveness for business and government Retain national regulatory authority

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US Commitments under SPP

By the end of 2012: Assess and initiate needed action on the approximately 9,000

existing chemicals produced above approximately 10 tons/yr in the U.S. Posted two sets of HCs for a total of 151 chemicals.

Includes organic High Production Volume (HPV) and Moderate Production Volume (MPV) chemicals Includes work under HPV Challenge MPV works builds off Canadian categorization effort

Make and publicly release screening level decisions and initiate needed action

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Existing Chemicals – National Program Chemicals

Lead: Lead Renovation, Repair and Paint Rule Expand the R&R Rule to include child-occupied facilities

Mercury Public process to address long-term management of non-Federal

mercury stockpiles Mercury Switch SNUR

Asbestos Updated “Current Best Practices for Preventing Exposure Among

Brake and Clutch Repair Workers”

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Managing Chemicals – Perfluorinated Chemicals PFOS

Late 90’s, PFOS was detected in human and animal blood worldwide. 3M, the major global producer, reported concerns to EPA Late 90’s, 3M ceased production of PFOA EPA followed with a TSCA rule that requires any new use of PFOS

be reviewed by EPA PFOA

EPA initiated stakeholder process to develop needed information on sources and pathways of exposure and sought external scientific review on interim risk assessment

In 2006, EPA sought and received commitments from 8 major PFOA manufacturers to reduce PFOA and related chemicals from emissions and product content by 95 percent no later than 2010 and to work towards eliminating emissions and product content by 2015

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PFOS/PFOA Significant Reductions

In August 2007, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a report that: Documented significant reductions in human blood levels of

PFOS and PFOA from 1999/2000 through in 2003/2004. The samples indicated that PFOS in human blood was

reduced by 32% in 2003-2004 while PFOA was reduced by 25% in this same period.

The report concludes that the reductions are related to the discontinuation of industrial production of PFOS in 2002 and other changes brought about by EPA and related efforts by government and industry.

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Nanotechnology

Nanoscale materials (NMs) are chemical substances as defined by TSCA.

NMs may have different toxicity and/or exposure characteristics than their “macro” counterparts

NMs not on the TSCA Inventory are new chemicals and are subject to “new chemical” review by EPA prior to manufacture TSCA definition of new chemical is based on molecular identity,

not on other characteristics EPA announced a “stewardship program” to handle existing

chemical nanomaterials.

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Nanomaterials Stewardship Program

Needs include: Generate data needed to provide a sound scientific foundation for

assessments Obtain better informed decision-making on new chemicals and realize

oversight of “existing” chemical NMs Industry stewardship in the manufacture and use of new and existing

chemical NMs Under the Basic Program

Report available information on the engineered nanoscale materials they manufacture, import, process or use.

EPA encourages participants to use the optional data submission form and worksheet, but participants may provide available data in any format.

Under the In-Depth Program Participants will voluntarily develop data, including testing, over a longer

time frame. Once potential participants are identified, EPA will facilitate a process

leading to data development.

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Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Reduce exposures to toxic pollutants through collaborative

action at the local level. Help communities understand all potential sources of

exposure to toxic pollutants. Work with communities to set priorities for risk-reduction

activities. Create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will

continue to improve the local environment.

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Electronics work - EPEAT©

Set of voluntary environmental performance criteria (IEEE 1680 American National Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products)

System for identifying and verifying products which meet this criteria (www.epeat.net)

Purchasers look at www.epeat.net to identify green PCs

Manufacturers sign Agreement with EPEAT and pay annual fee.

Products registered as Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on criteria that manufacturer declares.

EPEAT conducts periodic product verification audit to check that products actually meet criteria as declared or they are removed from registry. All registered products are subject to verification.

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EPEAT© Success: Global Environmental Benefits of Buying EPEAT© Registered Products to Date(estimates based on purchases conducted in 2006 for the lifetime of those prooducts)

Saved 13.7 billion KWH of electricity, enough to power 1.2 million homes for a year;

Saved 24.4 million metric tons of primary materials, equivalent to the weight of 189 million refrigerators;

Prevented 1.07 million metric tons of carbon equivalent GHG emissions, equivalent to removing 852,000 cars from the road for a year;

Prevented 56.5 million metric tons of other air emissions; Prevented 118,000 metric tons of water pollutant emissions; Reduced the amount of toxic materials used by 1.07 million kg,

equivalent to the weight of 534,000 bricks, including enough Hg to fill 157,000 household thermometers;

Avoided the production and disposal of 41.1 million kg of hazardous waste, equivalent to the weight of 20.5 million bricks.

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Design for the Environment (DfE)

The Design for the Environment (DfE) Program works in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce risk to people and the environment by preventing pollution. Focus

Chemicals of concern Informed Substitution OPPT technical tools and expertise

Considerations Business client Multi-stakeholder participation Business realities Potential benefits for industry and the environment

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Resource Information OPPT Home Page:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/index.htm OPPT Accomplishments Report:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/ar/20052006 SPP Regional Cooperation:

http://www.epa.gov/hpv/pubs/general/sppframework.htm HPV Program:

http://www.epa.gov/hpv/index.htm PFOA:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/index.htm Nanomaterials/TSCA:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/ Design for the Environment:

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/