1999 Accomplishments and Priorities

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment protects and enhances public health and the environment by objective scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances.

Accomplishments from First Half of 1999

1. Proposition 65 List. In January, OEHHA announced 15 additions to the Proposition 65 list. Two listings (2-aminofluorene and 4-amino-2-nitrophenol) were based on the findings of the Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC). Of the other 13 listings, all were based on the formally required to be labeled or identified mechanism, 11 were additions to the list of chemicals known to cause reproductive toxicity (auranofin, carbamazepine, dacarbazine, diflunisal, doxorubicin hydrochloride, haloperidol, levodopa, nifedipine, pyrimethamine, sulfasalazine and sundilac), while one chemical (cidofovir) was added both to the list of chemicals known to cause reproductive toxicity and to the list of chemicals known to cause cancer.
   In March, notices were published in the California Regulatory Notice Register (CRNR) announcing the addition of 13 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemicals to the Proposition 65 for list reproductive toxicity. The 13 chemicals are: diclofop methyl, hydramethylnon, cycloate, linuron, fenoxaprop ethyl, amitraz, disodium cyanodithiomidocarbonate, metiram, nabam, nitrapyrin, potassium dimethyl-dithiocarbamate, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, and triadimefon. All of the chemicals are pesticides.

   In April, a notice was published in the CRNR announcing the addition of four TRI chemicals (myclobutanil, 2, 4-DP, dichlorophene, and ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) to the Proposition 65 list for reproductive toxicity. All of the chemicals are pesticides.

   In May, notices were published in the CRNR announcing the addition of five TRI chemicals to the Proposition 65 list for reproductive toxicity. The five chemicals are: chlorsulfuron, bromacil lithium salt, bromoxynil octanoate, terbacil, and thiophanate methyl. All of the chemicals are pesticides.
   In June, notices were published in the CRNR announcing the addition of three TRI chemicals to the Proposition 65 list for reproductive toxicity. The three chemicals are: propargite, 2, 4-D butyric acid, and triflorine. All of the chemicals are pesticides.

   In July, OEHHA worked on a selection of a pool of the possible developmental and reproductive toxicant chemicals for entry into the review portion of the Proposition 65 Prioritization process. (By December) This will be the first time a random selection of potential developmental and reproductive chemicals will be made.

   In August, OEHHA completed and released a document summarizing information relevant to the reconsideration of five chemicals for possible delisting that are currently listed as causing cancer under the authoritative body mechanism of Proposition 65. The five chemicals are: zineb, allyl chloride, chlorodibromomethane, 1, 1-dichloroethane, and p-toluidine.

2. Registered Environmental Assessor II Program. In January, the Office of Administrative Law approved the regulations for the Registered Environmental Assessor II (REA II) program. Program implementation began and applications for registration were forwarded to interested parties. This program should help speed contaminated site cleanups and ensure responsibility by those certifying sites as clean. In May, OEHHA established the REA II Application Review Committee, which will make recommendations about the acceptance or denial of applications for REA II registration.
3. Safe Use Determination. In June, OEHHA issued a safe use determination indicating that crystalline silica in kitty litters poses no significant risk of cancer.
4. Public Health Goals. In February, OEHHA adopted 20 Public Health Goals (PHGs), plus the PHG for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). PHGs are used by the Department of Health Services to set State drinking water standards, maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). The 20 PHGs are: atrazine, bentazon, cadmium, chromium (total), 1, 2-dibromo-3-chloroprapane (DBCP), 1, 2-dichloroethylene (1, 2-DCA, ethane dichloride, ethylene dichloride, EDC), 1, 1-dichloroethylene (1, 1-DCE, vinylidene chloride, VDC), 1, 2-dichloropropane (1, 2-DCP, propylene chloride), 1, 3-dichloropropene (Telone II, 1, 3-DCP), endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HEX), lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, g-HCH, g-BHC, g-HCCH), mercury inorganic, methoxychlor, thallium, toluene (methylbenzene), 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene (1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzol), and 1, 1, 2-trichloroethylene (TCE).
5. DPR Regulations. In February, OEHHA peer reviewed DPR’s proposed regulations on the cholinesterase assay method which will lead to a major regulation correction and our eventual support of the subsequent regulations adoption.
6. Draft Cancer Data Summaries. On February 19, OEHHA released draft cancer data summaries on 60 chemicals randomly selected for prioritization under Proposition 65. Approximately a year from that date, some of those data summaries will serve as the basis for chemicals to be taken to the State’s "qualified" experts for possible listing under Proposition 65.
7. MTBE Public Health Goal Document. In March, OEHHA completed the technical support document "Public Health Goal for Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether in Drinking Water." The document supported a PHG of 0.013 mg/L (13 ppb) based on an extensive analysis of the current health and environmental exposure data.
8. Air Toxics Hot Spots – Cancer Potency Factors. In March, OEHHA finalized and released the "Air Toxics Hot Spots Risk Assessment Guideline Part II: Technical Support Document for Describing Available Cancer Potency Factors." Cancer values were identified for 119 substances. The Director of OEHHA adopted the document for use in Hot Spots risk assessment; this was one of five guideline documents to be used by Local Air Pollution Control Districts and facilities in quantifying risks from airborne emissions.
9. Acute Effects Part I. The Determination of Acute Reference Exposure Levels for Airborne Toxicants. In April, OEHHA finalized and released the "Air Toxics Hot Spots Risk Assessment Guidelines." Health values were developed for 51 substances. The Director of OEHHA adopted the document for use in Hot Spots risk assessments. The second of five guideline documents, this one establishes methodology to derive acute (one-hour) inhalation reference exposure levels (RELs) and presents acute RELs for 51 substances. This will be used by local air pollution control districts and facilities complying with the Air Toxics Hot Spots program to evaluate short-term exposure to air toxics.
10. Chronic Effects Part I. On June 1, OEHHA sent to the Scientific Review Panel, for its review, the "Air Toxics Hot Spots Risk Assessment Guidelines Part III. Determination of Chronic Noncancer Reference Exposure Levels." This is the third of five guidelines used by local air districts complying with the Air Toxics Hot Spots Program.
11. Air Toxics Hot Spots. On June 1, OEHHA sent the Scientific Review Panel (SRP), for its review the "Air Toxics Hot Spots Risk Assessment Guidelines Part III. Determination of Chronic Noncancer Reference Exposure Levels" This document contains health values for 40 chemicals.
12. Lake Pillsbury. In June, OEHHA responded to a request made by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board to analyze data for mercury contamination in Lake Pillsbury (source unknown) and to consider issuance of a health advisory. OEHHA concluded the Lake was a good candidate for an advisory and OEHHA assisted the county in issuing a local fish consumption advisory for Lake Pillsbury.
13. Lompoc, California Hospital Discharge Document. In response to a request by DPR that OEHHA determine whether or not illnesses are elevated in Lompoc, California, OEHHA provided hospital discharge analysis and issued a report titled, "Illness Indicators in Lompoc, California (1998)." A final document "Hospital Discharges in Lompoc, California" was released on June 21 presenting additional analyses of hospital discharges beyond that presented in the 1998 report.
14. NRDC v. Wilson Toxic Release Chemicals (TRI). On June 30, OEHHA’s compliance with the Writ of Mandate from the Sacramento Superior County was filed with the Superior Court. The Court ordered OEHHA to complete its review of at least 50 TRI chemicals by June 30, 1999. Our document indicated OEHHA had reached final resolution on 52 chemicals.

Priorities for Second Half of 1999

1. MTBE. OEHHA will submit to SRP for its review "Cancer Health Effects Evaluation for MTBE in Air." The SRP may then declare MTBE a toxic contaminant and the Air Resources Board would start mitigation procedures.
2. Methyl Bromide. OEHHA will review DPR’s risk characterization document on methyl bromide (July-September). A preliminary offsite with DPR at UC Davis was held with scientists from both organizations to enhance coordination on this controversial chemical.
3. Fish. OEHHA will revise the fish consumption report and the San Francisco Bay fish risk assessment report. OEHHA will also study the risk assessment of chemicals found in fish from the Santa Monica Bay. (July-September)
4. Hazardous Substance Cleanup Arbitration Panel. SB 47, (Sher, Chapter 23, Statutes of 1999) re-establishes the authority for the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Arbitration Panel (HSCAP) program in OEHHA. Accordingly, OEHHA will begin to contact the parties in the arbitration cases that were suspended on December 31, 1998, with the "sunsetting" of Chapter 6.8 of the Health & Safety Code ("State Superfund"). (July-December)
5. Public Health Goals. OEHHA will develop additional PHGs for chemical contaminants in drinking water. A supplemental report on PHGs is due to the Legislature in September/October.
6. Document Review. OEHHA will review DPR’s proposed final regulations for azinphos methyl. OEHHA will also review SB 950 data waiver request determinations and pesticide risk characterization documents received from DPR. OEHHA will also review DPR's report on DEET (a pesticide used in bug repellant).
7. Toxics Directory. In July, OEHHA will release the updated Toxics Directory which lists agencies and organizations from the local to National level that can provide information or have authority over toxic substances and their health effects.
8. Medical Supervisors Survey Document. In support of our joint and mutual responsibility over worker health and safety, work has been completed and a final document entitled "Results of a Survey Regarding Certification and Training for Physicians Providing Medical Supervision for California Pesticide Mixer/Loader/Applicators" will be released. This survey was conducted in response to the California Farm Workers Services Coordinating Council’s request that OEHHA survey the Medical Supervisors to determine training and certification needs.
9. Emerging Challenges Workshop. OEHHA is sponsoring two public workshops November 1 and 2 in Oakland and Van Nuys, respectively, to elicit information on environmental challenges that may confront Cal/EPA programs in the next five to ten years.
10. Cancer Data Summaries. OEHHA will release the final cancer data summaries on the 60 chemicals that were randomly selected in February.
11. Hazard Identification Documents. OEHHA will release hazard identification documents on two or three chemicals for consideration by the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee at its next scheduled meeting for December 1999. The possible chemicals are: fenbutatin oxide, quizalofop ethyl, sodium nitrite, and triphenyltin hydroxide.
12. Air Toxics Hot Spots. The "Air Toxics Hot Spots Risk Assessment Guidelines Part IV" will be submitted to the SRP for review. This document describes exposure assessment and stochastic modeling and is guideline four of five being developed for use by Local Air Pollution Control Districts.
13. Air Toxics Hot Spots. The "Air Toxics Hot Spots – Program Risk Assessment Guidelines Part III: Determination of chronic Noncancer Reference Exposure Levels" will be reviewed by the SRP for the methodology used and the health levels of 40 substances.
14. Teaching Teachers. OEHHA staff will participate in a workshop training high school teachers about science.
15. Ethanol Report. In October, OEHHA will release report and workshop on ethanol report with other Boards and Departments.
16. Air Toxic Hot Spots. In October, a second set of health values (Chronic Reference Exposure Levels) for an additional 40 chemicals will be submitted to the SRP for its review.
17. Carcinogen Identification Committee Meeting. The CIC will meet on October 7, in Oakland. The CIC will consider four chemicals bis(2-chloro-1-methylether)ether, 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene, estragole and trichloroacetic acid) for possible Proposition 65 listing. The Committee will discuss and possibly adopt a set of criteria for identifying chemicals that come before this Committee as known to cause cancer. Also at this meeting, for the first time since Proposition 65 was implemented, five chemicals will be considered for delisting.
18. Cal/Tox Wildlife Exposure Factor and Toxicity Database. In October, OEHHA will finalize and provide Internet access to this comprehensive data base, which contains basic ecological information for performing ecotoxicological risk assessments in the state.
19. Proposition 65. In October, OEHHA will randomly select chemicals for prioritization on the basis of developmental and reproductive toxicity data for consideration by the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee.
20. Ethanol in Gasoline. The Governor’s Executive Order D-5-99 requested OEHHA to study the potential health impacts of ethanol in gasoline. The health effects report from OEHHA is due to the Environmental Policy Council on December 31.
21. Legislative Report. In December, OEHHA will prepare and submit to the Legislature our annual report on expediting PHGs, bays and estuary work.
22. Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee. The annual meeting of this Proposition 65 Committee will consider whether to list TRI chemicals that were not listed administratively. The meeting will be held on December 13, 1999 at a location to be determined.

Back to Report of Accomplishments & Priorities