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Perhaps it should be made clear that the commitment mentioned in this article is only to Tier 1 of the three tiered program. Tier 1 includes acute toxicity, repeated dose toxicity with reproductive and developmental screens, bacterial reverse mutation assay, and chromosomal aberrations or micronucleus test. It does NOT include prenatal developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive/fertility toxicity, developmental neurotoxicity, neurotoxicity screening, or carcinogenesis. For information about these potential impacts of exposure to these few commonly used chemicals, we will continue to wait----while exposures continue. -- Ted Schettler Another key point is that this is 20 chemicals out of a total of 80,000 registered commercial chemicals, of which nearly 3,000 are produced at greater than a million pounds per year. This includes almost 900 pesticides that are designed to be toxic, including 140 known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system. It does not include the approximately 2-3,000 chemicals newly registered each year. The sad fact is that only two of 80,000 chemicals have ever been tested using validated EPA protocols for effects on the adult or child immune system, and only about a dozen have been tested with EPA's validated protocol for effects on the developing brain and nervous system. Neither of these studies would be performed under the Voluntary program described. The idea that we can protect children by doing inadequate testing of 20 chemicals while continuing to release up to 3,000 new chemicals a year is intellectually bankrupt. David Wallinga, M.D., MPA. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy 2105 First Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 dwallinga@iatp.org Ph 612-870-3418, fax 612-870-4846 www.iatp.org |
"I am very pleased with the successful launch of this program," commented Whitman. "A partnership between government, industry and advocates can achieve major results when we work together to find solutions to environmental issues." Whitman continued, "This effort will make a solid contribution so that both public health agencies and individual families can better understand the potential risks that our children face from chemicals found in their environment. I commend the companies who are making this ground-breaking effort possible."
Research has shown that the chemicals selected for this program have been found in human tissues, and may be present in drinking water or indoor air. While some of these chemicals are used to manufacture common household products such as plastics, fibers, lubricants, detergents and drugs, there has not previously been adequate evaluation to determine whether or not there are any associated health risks for children.
The voluntary program was developed over a two-year period, drawing on extensive stakeholder input to establish workable guidelines on chemical testing, as an alternative to promulgation of regulations by EPA to require hazard testing on these chemicals. Participating companies have committed to preparing hazard, exposure and risk assessments, and then will engage in a public, science-based process to evaluate whether the data developed adequately characterize potential risks to children. On a case-by-case basis, additional studies may be undertaken for the chemicals if more detailed data are needed to fully understand potential risks for children.
The first assessments are expected to be submitted to EPA in summer 2002. Additional information on the Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program, the participating companies and the individual chemicals is available at: www.epa.gov/chemrtk/vcceprsp.htm.
CONTACT: David Deegan of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7839; e-mail: deegan.dave@epa.gov
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Chemicals Sponsored in the VCCEP Pilot |
||
|---|---|---|
|
CAS Number |
Chemical Name |
Sponsor |
|
67-64-1 |
Acetone |
American Chemistry Council
Acetone Panel: |
|
71-43-2 |
Benzene |
American Chemistry Council
Benzene Team: |
|
75-35-4 |
Vinylidenechloride |
The Dow Chemical Company |
|
78-93-3 |
Methyl ethyl ketone |
American Chemistry Council
Ketones Panel: |
|
79-01-6 |
Trichloroethylene |
Halogenated Solvents Industry
Alliance, Inc.: |
|
80-56-8 |
a-Pinene |
Terpene Consortium: |
|
95-47-5 |
o-Xylene |
American Chemistry Council
Toluene and Xylene VCCEP Consortium: |
|
100-41-4 |
Ethylbenzene |
American Chemistry Council
Ethylbenzene Panel: |
|
106-46-7 |
p-Dichlorobenzene |
Chlorobenzene Producers
Association: |
|
106-93-4 |
Ethylene dibromide |
|
|
107-06-2 |
Ethylene dichloride |
American Chemistry Council
Vinyl Chloride Health Committee: |
|
108-38-5 |
m-Xylene |
American Chemistry Council
Toluene and Xylene VCCEP Consortium: |
|
108-88-3 |
Toluene |
American Chemistry Council
Toluene and Xylene VCCEP Consortium: |
|
108-90-7 |
Chlorobenzene |
|
|
112-40-3 |
n-Dodecane |
American Chemistry Council
n-Alkanes VCCEP Consortium: |
|
123-91-1 |
p-Dioxane |
Ferro Corporation |
|
124-18-5 |
Decane |
American Chemistry Council
n-Alkanes VCCEP Consortium: |
|
127-18-4 |
Tetrachloroethylene |
Halogenated Solvents Industry
Alliance, Inc.: |
|
541-73-1 |
m-Dichlorobenzene |
|
|
1120-21-4 |
Undecane |
American Chemistry Council
n-Alkanes VCCEP Consortium: |
|
1163-19-5 |
Decabromodiphenyl ether |
American Chemistry Council
Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel: |
|
32534-81-9 |
Pentabromodiphenyl ether |
Great Lakes Chemical Company |
|
32536-52-0 |
Octabromodiphenyl ether |
Great Lakes Chemical Company |
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