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   Issue 8, Fall 2014
IC2 News
IC2 Launches New Website
The IC2 has launched a new website at http://theic2.org:
IC2 website homepage
The new site features an updated appearance and makes it much easier for visitors to find IC2's signature online databases, including:

 

State Priority Chemicals Database, a searchable database that combines state lists of priority chemicals so users can:

  • Find chemicals on one or more state lists
  • Identify source lists for the chemicals
  • Identify hazards and toxicity characteristics associated with the chemicals
  • Link to additional information on the chemicals

Chemical Hazard Assessment Database, which enables users to search for GreenScreen� and Quick Chemical Assessment Tool (QCAT) assessments to promote awareness of hazard assessments conducted on chemicals of concern, facilitate transparency and discussion, and reduce duplication of effort.

 

State Chemicals Policy Database, which enables users to search for passed and pending state-level chemicals legislation by state, region, status (e.g., enacted, proposed, and failed), policy category (e.g., pollution prevention, single chemical restriction), chemical, and product type (e.g., children's products, cleaning products).

 

The site features the IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide (Guide) and Response-to-Comment (RTC) documents. The Guide is comprehensive and includes three ways in which an alternatives assessment (AA) can be conducted.

 

The IC2 has transferred the key content from a Safer Alternatives Wiki to the new website; the Wiki is no longer available. IC2's AA Wiki Archive presents a set of flexible, adaptive steps that follow a shared understanding of what constitutes a safer alternative to a chemical of concern.

 

Check out the new site and send us your comments and suggestions.

Additions to the Chemical Hazard Assessment Database

The IC2 has recently added chemical profiles to the Chemical Hazard Assessment Database covering:

  • 18 flame retardants
  • 8 primaries, intermediates, and monomers for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and polypropylene
  • The antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban

We appreciate the work of IC2 Supporting Member Clean Production Action to develop the GreenScreen� assessments and Alex Stone, Washington State Department of Ecology, to review them. 

The IC2 Welcomes Delaware & King County, Washington as its Newest Members

IC2 welcomes its newest Members: the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. They joined the IC2 to take advantage of its information-sharing and networking opportunities. The IC2 is excited to be working with them.

IC2 Welcomes Office Depot as a Supporting Member

IC2 welcomes its newest Supporting Member, Office Depot. This is the second retailer to join IC2 and we look forward to working together with them.

ECOS Resolution on Alternatives Assessment

IC2 members worked through the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) on a Resolution titled Advancing Alternatives Assessments for Continuous Improvement and Protection of Public Health and the Environment. The Resolution "encourages the implementation of and increased federal, state, and private-sector funding and technical assistance support for alternatives assessments ..." 

Green Chemistry Connection 
Green Chemistry Connection is a national online community of green chemistry practitioners and an information clearinghouse of resources to support their work. The goal for the professional social network is to broaden the understanding and adoption of green chemistry practices and principles in business, education, government, health care, and society as a catalyst to growing a sustainable economy.

 

Green Chemistry Connection (GCC) is designed to facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, and expertise on one easy-to-access and use web platform. Members are encouraged to use the site to interact with each other and share information and resources. Features include:

  • Discussion Forum - share comments and ideas or post questions for members of the site
  • Blogs - share views, expertise, and experience
  • News - learn about what's happening through news that is compiled from multiple green chemistry sources
  • Events - post announcements about upcoming events and activities
  • Groups - join a sub-group to connect with other individuals interested in a green chemistry topic
  • Chat - connect in real-time with others currently logged-in to the site
  • Library - post useful information, including links to green chemistry websites, publications, videos, case studies, curricula and training materials, promotional materials, resource lists, and links to businesses
  • Member Directory - identify organizations, companies, and academic researchers that are pursuing green chemistry
  • Social Media Sharing - share what's going on at GreenChemConnect.org through other social networking sites, such as LinkedIn

NEWMOA developed the GCC and administers and maintains the network in partnership with the IC2. It is funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™). 

 

Join the site and let us know what you think.

In this issue
Membership Invitation
The IC2 invites businesses, non-governmental organizations, academic researchers, consultants, and others to join the Clearinghouse. Supporting Members sign a Memorandum of Agreement demonstrating support for the principles of the Clearinghouse and provide annual dues to help fund baseline activities. All IC2 Supporting Members are eligible to participate in the IC2 Council, in IC2 Workgroups, and in webinars.

For more information, contact Topher Buck,
(617) 367-8558 x309.
Ready for chemical alternatives assessment?
The IC2 can help.

In late June, IC2 Project Manager Topher Buck published a GreenBiz P2 Impact column on the connections among alternatives assessment, pollution prevention, and regrettable substitution that highlights some of the IC2's accomplishments and resources. Read Topher's column.

IC2 E-Bulletin
The Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) is an association of state, local, and tribal governments that promotes a clean environment, healthy communities, and a vital economy through the development and use of safer chemicals and products.

The purpose of the IC2 E-Bulleti
n is to inform IC2 Members and Supporting Members and others of the activities of the Clearinghouse, its members, and related national and international programs. It is published approximately three times per year and is provided free. Funding for the E-Bulletin is provided by the IC2 membership. Previous issues are available.


The IC2 is a program of the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA). NEWMOA provides management and staff support for IC2 and serves as its fiscal agent.
State Updates
California 

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is developing a Priority Product Work Plan that identifies product categories from which Priority Products will be selected. The three-year Work Plan outlines some of the considerations behind DTSC's product category selections. DTSC will finalize this Work Plan upon consideration of public comments. The Work Plan does not specifically identify Priority Products or Chemicals of Concern. DTSC will identify future potential Priority Products by choosing specific products from the categories identified in the Work Plan in conjunction with chemicals found on the Candidate Chemicals list. The Work Plan is intended to provide a higher level of predictability regarding potential future regulatory actions by DTSC.

 

DTSC is holding workshops to discuss the draft Work Plan. These provide an opportunity for the public to review the Work Plan prior to DTSC's finalizing it.
Oregon
On September 10, Michael Jordan, Oregon's Chief Operating Officer, approved new purchasing guidelines for state agencies that support the purchase of less-toxic products without compromising effectiveness or best-value. These guidelines help advance both Governor Kitzhaber's 2012 executive order directing state agencies to increase the number of people- and planet-friendly products they purchase and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Toxics Reduction Strategy. Over the past year, a green chemistry steering committee--led by the Governor's Office--developed the guidelines agencies will now use. The committee engaged state agencies, conservation groups, and Oregon businesses to refine the guidelines prior to approval. From pest control to office supplies to furniture, the guidelines offer a procurement path that will often lead to a safer alternative. The new guidelines are also available for adoption or use by other states, local governments, and other entities.
Vermont

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin recently enacted a law addressing toxic chemicals found in children's products. An Act Relating to the Regulation of Toxic Substances gives the Vermont Department of Health the authority to require manufacturers to label or remove toxic chemicals from products sold in the state.

 

The Vermont Department of Health plans to follow a rigorous scientific method to test whether chemicals are present in products at levels considered to cause harm to humans. The law defines children's products as any product used by (or marketed for) children under age 12, including toys, cosmetics, jewelry, products for teething and sucking, and car seats. Electronics, winter equipment and secondhand products are exempt. Under the law, manufacturers are required to report toxic chemicals found in their products sold in the state and pay a $200 fee every two years for each chemical they report. The fees will support the program. The law requires companies to report chemicals in their products to a state website starting July 1, 2015.

 

Vermont currently regulates the use of certain chemicals, including flame retardants, bisphenol A (BPA), mercury, and lead. The new law allows the Department to expand the list every other year without legislative approval. It also allows the Department to report back to lawmakers next year if it recommends an expansion of regulations to other products.

Washington

Clean Water Initiative

Governor Jay Inslee has proposed a new initiative entitled Ensuring Safe, Clean Water for Healthy People and a Strong Economy, which includes a process for updating the state's clean water standards as required under the Clean Water Act. As part of the initiative, the Governor also proposes to give new authority and direction to the Department of Ecology to combat known, high-priority pollution and get toxic chemicals out of consumer products. The Governor is leading the effort to gather input from businesses and other stakeholders. For more information, contact Robert Duff at robert.duff@gov.wa.gov.

 

Results of Product Disclosure & Testing

Ecology has released the most recent round of data reported by manufacturers under the Children's Safe Product Act. Reports submitted before September 6, 2014 are available for download. Ecology has also released a new database that includes results from products tested by Ecology for chemicals of concern under the Children's Safe Product Act and other laws and rules that regulate chemicals in products. Currently the database contains results from studies on children's products released earlier this year. For more information, contact Joshua Grice, joshua.grice@ecy.wa.gov

 

Green Chemistry Certification

A new certificate program from the University of Washington will help chemists, environmental and sustainability professionals, health and safety professionals, and product managers make informed product decisions that take into account sustainability, toxicity, and human health concerns. The certificate in Green Chemistry and Chemical Stewardship will be offered through the Professional and Continuing Education program at the University of Washington.

 

The certificate program will be offered online and is intended to give professionals working in chemicals management experience using comparative chemical hazard assessment tools for product selection. The classes will be offered sequentially, beginning in January 2015, and concluding in August 2015. Students will complete a capstone project requiring them to evaluate a chemical or product within a sustainability framework.

 

Flame Retardant Testing

In June, the Washington State Department of Ecology published the results of a flame retardant product testing study of 125 general consumer and children's products. Product types included seat cushions, mattresses, upholstered furniture for children, electronics, clothing, and baby carriers. Study results indicate that manufacturers have largely moved away from using polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of flame retardants banned in 2008 for many products sold in Washington State. However, "The study confirmed that some manufacturers have made what are known as 'regrettable substitutions.'" Numerous products were found to contain chlorinated phosphate flame retardants, and some samples were found to contain a flame retardant identified as a chemical of high concern to children (CHCC) above the reporting limit established in Washington's Children's Safe Product Act (CSPA).

Federal Updates
Risk Assessments
In August, the U.S. EPA released
final risk assessments for methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM), antimony trioxide (ATO), and 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8,-hexamethylcyclopenta[γ]-2-benzopyran (HHCB).

 

The DCM risk assessment addresses paint stripper products. The final risk assessment indicates health risks to both workers and consumers who use these products, and to bystanders in workplaces and residences where DCM is used. EPA is considering a range of possible voluntary and regulatory actions to address concerns and anticipates conducting a workshop in late fall to engage key stakeholders and the public on potential alternatives and risk reduction approaches.

 

The ATO risk assessment addresses effects on ecological receptors from its use as a synergist in halogenated flame retardants. EPA's final risk assessment indicates no concern for this use of ATO.

 

The HHCB risk assessment addresses ecological risks from HHCB as a fragrance ingredient in commercial and consumer products. EPA's final risk assessment indicates no concern for this use of HHCB.

 

In June, EPA released a final risk assessment for trichloroethylene (TCE). The assessment identified health risks from TCE exposures to consumers using spray aerosol degreasers and spray fixatives. It also identifies health risks to workers when TCE is used as a degreaser in small commercial shops and as a stain removing agent in dry cleaning.

 

EPA developed the draft TCE risk assessment based on the best available information and finalized the assessment after careful consideration of comments from the public and experts during an independent, scientific peer review of the assessment.

 

EPA conducted a workshop in July on potential TCE degreaser alternatives and risk reduction approaches. EPA will conduct other activities to address TCE uses as a stain removing agent in dry cleaning and as a clear protective spray fixative.

 

EPA recommends that people take precautions that can reduce TCE exposures, such as using the product outside or in an extremely well-ventilated area and wearing protective equipment.


Visit www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/riskassess.html for more information.
Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2)
129 Portland Street, Suite 602
Boston, MA 02114-2014
617-367-8558 x309
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