NEWS

OEHHA Adopts Updates Warning Regulations for Rental Vehicles

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has adopted revised regulations governing Proposition 65 warnings for exposures from rental vehicles. The regulations will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2019.

EPA Releases Two Draft Risk Evaluations for Chemicals Pursuant to TSCA

U.S. EPA has released draft risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,4-dioxane and cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD). The drafts conclude that neither chemical poses an "unreasonable risk" for exposed individuals or the environment.

EPA Proposes Rule to Limit Exposures to Five PBT Chemicals

On June 21 U.S. EPA issued a proposed rule that would reduce exposures to five chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT). The proposed rule complies with a mandate imposed on the agency under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control. Act, known as the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

OEHHA Modifies Its Proposed Changes to Its Regulation Calculating Prop. 65 Exposure Levels in Food

Last October the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) proposed to modify two of its regulations to change the way that concentrations of Prop. 65-listed reproductive toxicants are calculated for determining exposure levels for foods. The agency has now proposed modifications to its October proposal based on comments it received.

OEHHA Lists PCBTF Over Objections of Coating Associations

OEHHA has listed p-chloro-a,a,a-trifluorotoluene (para-Chlorobenzotrifluoride, PCBTF) as a carcinogen under Proposition 65. The listing was effective as of June 28.

OEHHA Symposium on Synthetic Food Dyes

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) will hold a scientific symposium in September to discuss the potential neurobehavioral effects on children of exposure to synthetic food dyes.

Coffee Rule Finalized But Challenges Remain

A regulation that will shield purveyors of brewed coffee from Proposition 65 liability will become effective on October 1 of this year. However, the validity of the regulation remains the subject of ongoing litigation, which has yet to be resolved nearly ten years after its commencement.

Ars Technica Magazine Gives a Close Look at CERTs History

The Council for Education and Research on Toxics (CERT) has been in the news recently over the court case in CERT v. Starbucks and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessments' final rule on acrylamide in coffee.

Annual Pesticide Use Report Generates Opposite Conclusions from CDPR and Activists

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has released its latest annual pesticide use report.

EDF Blasts Trump Administration's Implementation of New TSCA Law

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)—unlike several other mainstream environmental groups—supported the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

DTSC Looking at Controlling 1-4 Dioxane Creation in Cleaning and Personal Care Products

As part of its Safer Consumer Products  program (SCP) the Department of Toxic Substances Control is looking at possible actions to limit the production of 1,4-Dioxane during the manufacture of personal care and cleaning products.

Petition to Add Zinc in Tires As Priority Product Moves Forward

The Safer Consumer Products regulations permit interested parties to submit petitions to DTSC asking the agency to add a particular product-chemical combination as a Priority Product.

EPA Awards Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for 2019

U.S. EPA has named four researchers as winners of its 2019 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for creating new technologies that will enable businesses to reduce costs and open up new markets for cleaner and safer products.

OEHHA Proposes Prop. 65 Safe Harbor Level for Chlorpyrifos

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has proposed a Proposition 65 safe harbor level for the pesticide chlorpyrifos.

Appellate Court Faults EPA for Failure to Require Full Substantiation of TSCA CBI Claims

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has ruled that U.S. EPA improperly dropped a question asking companies asserting a Confidential Business Information (CBI) claim for a chemical formula whether the formula could be discovered by "reverse engineering."

EPA Proposes Rule for Substantiating CBI Claims for Active Chemicals

On April 23, U.S. EPA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register requiring companies making confidential business information (CBI) claims for chemicals on the TSCA "active" list to substantiate their claims.

EPA Touts Latest Update of Chemical Database

U.S. EPA has announced the latest version of what it calls its CompTox Chemicals Dashboard. The latest version (Version 3.0.8) adds 110,000 chemicals and associated data to the existing Dashboard.

OEHHA Releases Fact Sheet on Pesticide Carbaryl

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has published a fact sheet on the Proposition 65-listed pesticide carbaryl.

Third Jury Verdict in Roundup Litigation Escalates Pressure on Bayer

An Alameda County Superior Court jury has ordered Monsanto to pay just over $2 billion to a Livermore couple who both have cancer they claim was caused by exposure to the company's Roundup herbicide.

AG Announces Settlements With Distributors Selling Tainted Jewelry And Support For Stronger Legislation

Attorney General Xavier Becerra has announced that his office has reached settlements with five distributors of jewelry for violating lead and cadmium content limits contained in California's Metal Containing Jewelry Law (Jewelry Law).