Document JNEELb8V32DO5Lx0mD07pjK3a

Volume 6, Number 1 Intldm Naws Features 3 Spotlight 5 News Briefs 7 People 10 People to Watch 10 Sunsets 11 Recent Releases 11 Summer 1994 CHEMSiTAR CARE CHEMSTAR Paneli and Councils Aid Implementation cfResponsible Care The chemical industry as a whole recognizes that th: public perception about the management of chemicals needs improvement After analyzing public opinion and ndustryoperations. industry realized tliat the problem was not perception - il was performance. The chemical industry initiative called Responsible Care3 vas designed to im prove the manager entofchemicals and thereby eliminate ihe negative stigma that has enveloped the industry for years. CHEMSTAR facilitating implementation by assliiirtilating Responsible Care activities into its programs, CHEMSTAR grow{currently are addressing several Responsible Care Codes of Manss;gemsnt Practices induding Community A.vrareneaa and Emergency Response, P'4>Uutian Prevention, Distribution, PProcesis Safety, Employee Health and Safety and Product Stewardship. Codes of Management Practices are the heart of the Responsible Care initiative bec< use they are statements of expected performance that CMA member coir,.parties must make good-faith efforts to attain. Through these Codes, Resp<|>nsible Care is defined and ixnpiemented. And through CHEMSTAR, companies join forces and resources to make the ideals and vision of the Responsible Care Codes reality. Community Awareness and Emergency Response: Several Panels are addressing the Community Awareness and Emergency Response Codewhichplaces its empha sis on community outreach and dia logue. Often, activities under this Code overlap with the Product Stewardship Code which covers product specific in formation to educate customers on proper use and disposal practices of chemicals. In 1991, the Vinyl Chloride Panel developed a mutual aid network for vinyl chloride rail transportation in the U.S. Vinyl chloride monomer is a large volume chemical of which approxi mately half is transportedby rail. Three years ago, there was no organized way to handle emergency responses to vinyl chloride incidents. Today, the network consists of eight companies committed to responding to potentially hazardous vinyl chloride incidents with the exper tise necessary to help ensure a safe and informed response. The Panel also de veloped the Vinyl Chloride Emergency Response Training Program involving CMA 030987 plant and local emergency response personnel from Local Emergency Re sponse Planning Committees and fire departments. The training programcon sists of a series of workshops held in awareness, the Atmospheric Research Council developed a document, "Chemicals in the J itmosphere", which provides an introduction to the prin ciples that govern tl te fate and impact of container protocols are expected to be completed by August. The highway protocol has been transferred to the CMA DistributionCommittee for imple mentation. The Committee plans to various locations and includes hands- chemicals emitted into the atmosphere. work with the carrier industry to estab on emergency response training for vi "Chemicals in the Atmosphere" con lish a "self-assessment program" nyl chloride rail incidents. The Panel is sists of a primer, as an overview to whereby the highway carriers will use now producing a video on safe-han global issues, and a' vorkbookwith step- the highway protocol as a basis for com dling procedures for vinyl chloride to by-step instruction for determining the municationwithchemical industry ship be used in estimated lifetime of a pers. training for chemical in the atmo The Chemical Distributors Council industry personnel. The Phenol Panel was The Total Quality Council believes that Total Qual ity Management tools can make Responsible Care sphere. Future efforts of the Council include refin ing est mates of direct Glo bal W; inning Potential of chemi< als as well as spon also focused on response to the Respon sible CareDistributionCode. The Coun cil developed an implementation aid for the Code entitled, "Chemical Dis tributors Self-Assessment Protocol." organized implementation aids more soring research to evalu The protocol provides guidelines for to enhance safety in efficient. ate thi potential indirect evaluation of a distributor's operations. effects of chemical emis Through in depth questions about produc sions on climate change. safety, emergency preparedness, trans-. tion, handling, and transportation of The Council curreni ly is drafting a con portation, transportation equipment, phenol. The Panel presents two sensus report to diaracterize indirect product information, and hazardous proactive safety awards annually to effects on the global climate change of waste, the protocol helps companies phenol manufacturers to recognize dedi atmospheric emissions resulting from identify strengths and areas where im cation, commitment, and performance products and proce :ses of the chemical provement is needed. Addenda cover within the industry. The two awards industry. quality control, cus are: the Industry Leader in Safety Per formance Award and the Most Im Distribution: Through CHEMSTAR, tomer service, and corrective action proved Safety Performance Award. The Panel designed a worker safety evalua tion process to judge performance. Cri teria include: OSHA-reportablelosttime injuries; employee daysaway fromwork as a result of workplace accidents; EPA- The Distributitn Code requires thut CMA members evali iate carriers that tran *port chemicals for safety fitness and companies join forces and resources to make the ideals and vision of the Responsible Care Codes reality. processes and proce dures. Manufactur ers can use the pro tocol to assess their own internal distri bution activities. reportable spills; first aid cases; and, regulatory compli The Council will re emergency response to workplace inci ance. The Code also lease a document dents. The Panel is considering ways to requires feedback to carriers on their addressing the Product Stewardship expand the criteria in the future to en safety and regulator y performance and Code this year. compass more indicators of safety and gives suggestions for improvement The environmental performance. ThePanel Carrier Assessment Council formed in Process Safety: also is developing stewardship pro 1990 in direct response to the require The focus ofthe Process SafetyCode grams to educate customers and other ments of the Distribution Code. Al is on prevention of fires, explosions, downstreamusers on safe handlingpro though the industry record for trans and accidental chemical releases. The cedures. The Panel has produced a 50- porting hazardous materials shows a activities of the Vinyl Chloride and Phe minute video on safe handling proce 99.9% success rate, tl te industry aims to nol Panels certainly fallunder this Code dures to be used in conjunction with a reduce risk evenmor e. TheCAC, which as well as the CAER Code. In addition, workbook to train plant personnel. includes about 40 CMA member com the Ethylene Glycol Ethers Panel has Pollution Prevention; panies, formed various workgroups to prepared a process safety document for develop evaluation :ools that could be Panel member companies to distribute This Code aims at reducing the used to evaluate the various types of to customers. The document is a bro amounts of hazardous materials re carriers: highway, nil, barge, and ves chure on process safety designed to in leased into the environment. In the sel container. The hj;ghway protocol is form industrial users of potential safety interests of community and industry complete. The rail. barge, and vessel hazards associated with the processing or recovery of ethylene glycol ethers. t III MM \l- Summer 1994 CMA 030938 The Maleic Anhydride Panel "Roadmap" for irhplementing process formed with the purpose of addressing safety in a quality environment, and a Responsible Care productstewardship "Toolbox" of quslity techniques that issues. In line with the Process Safety can be used to imp lement each of the 22 Code, the Panel is producing two vid elements of the Co- ie. Included with the eos and a brochure on safe handling and Matrix is a chart showing the connec safe unloadingofmaleic anhydride from tions between elements of the Process both tank trucks ________________ Safety Code and the and railcars. The Total Quality Council believes that Although tn/fadustry record for transporting hazardous materials shows a 99.9% suc other five Respon sible Care Codes. The Council be lieves that the pro Total Quality cess rate, the industry aims to cess used to develop Management reduce risk even more. tools can make ____________________ the Matrix, Roadmap, and Responsible Toolbox for the Pro Care implementation aids more effi cess Safety Code cm serve as a model cient. The Council formed a joint task for similar efforts tc develop implemen group with the former CMA Engineer tation aids for the remaining Codes. ing and Operations Committee (now The Matrix is available now from the partof the Environment, Health, Safety, Total Quality Cornell (contact Trish and Operations Committee) to demon Messenger at 20:1/887-1169). The strate specific applications of TQM us "Roadmap" and "Toolbox" will be is ing the Process Safety Code. The project sued this fall. includes three parts. The first piece, "Integrating Process Safety and Total Product Stewardship: Quality; A Matrix," graphically depicts The Product Ste wardshipCodecov the common elements of process safety ers all stages of a sroduct's life. The initiatives (the Process Safety Code and Code focuses on educating customers OSHA's Process Safety Standard, on proper use and d isposal practices by 1910.119) and several quality initiatives providing product-s pedfic information. (ISO 9000, the Malcolm Baldrige Na This Code also addresses product re tional Quality Award, and the Total search and development issues. Insome Quality Council's "Criteria for Continu areas, the Code overlaps with the Em ous Improvement"). The second and ployee Health and Si ifety, Process Safety third pieces of the document include a and Distribution Cedes. In a sense, almost all of the CHEMSTAR panels and councils ad dress the Product Stewardship Code. Forexample, CHEMSTAR groups often sponsor research for specific chemicals. This data can be used in risk manage mentprograms that fall under the Prod uctStewardship umbrella. For example, in 1990 the Cumene Panel conducted a voluntary subchronic study to address effects that were seen in an earlier subchronic studyconducted underEPArequired testing of the chemical. In response to the Panel's voluntary re search, EPA found that cumene does not cause cataracts and is not neuro toxic -- both valuable findings when designing risk management efforts. In another example, voluntary testingpro grams are being conducted by the OxoProcess Panelonbutyl and ethyl acetate to supplement the available toxicity data. Many other Panelsare involved in voluntary research of this nature. This research provides regulators, and in the long-run consumers, with information necessary to understand these chemi cals. It also provides manufacturers and their customers with data to aid in reducing risks of handling the chemi cals. CHEMSTAR Panels and Councils are eager to explore new ways to achieve Responsible Care* goals. Ifyou would like to learn more about tailoring pro grams to meet thesegoals, contactKim Reed at 202/887-1191. MORE ON OECD VOLUNTARY TESTING Completed OECD Phase 4 Screening Information Data Set dossiers were due to Charles Auer at EPA by June 1,1994. The OECD dossier review will hence forth take place by mail rather than the formal setting of a SIDS Initial Assess ment Meeting. Industry volunteers are being sought to provide EPA with SIDS dossiers and screening testdataon the followingHigh Production/ High Release chemicals on the Toxics Release Inventory, with U.S. production of >106 pounds and TRI releases >106 pounds annually; CAS NO.ICHEMICAL 000074839 /Broimomthan* 000075650/t-Bjityl Alcohol 000091203/Mifphthalen* 000092524/lBIiphanyt 000095476/ -Xylono 000108383/ m-Xylwno 000109864/2-Mi thoxyothanol 000110805/2-Eithoxyothanol 000115071/ Propylene 000463581 /C.ar1>onyyl niHIdo 001330207/Xyl*n* (Mixed lionwn) 010049044/Chlolirino Dloxido To volunteer for providing a SIDS Dossier or for more information, con* tact Cecilia Spearing at 202/887-1305. ETHYLENE AND PROPYLENE CLEARED BY IARC In a decision with significant ramifications, the International Agency for Research on Cancer ruled that ethylene and propy lene arenof animal carcinogens. IARC held a meeting in Febru ary to review data on 14 chemi cals and determine whether to desig nate them possible, probable, or known human carcinogens. A con cern about ethylene and propylene was based on their metabolism to eth- Summer 1994 I I! \ II \l1 CMA 030989 ylene oxide and propylene oxide, re spectively. The oxides are classified as animal carcinogens. In late 1993, the German MAK Commission had listed ethylene as a carcinogen based upon its metabolism to ethylene oxide. The Olefins Panel in collaborated with the Society of Plastics Industry to address the IARC review. The Panel sponsored scientific studies on ethylene which showed that, although a small amount ofethylene oxidewas produced during metabolism, it did not cause the DNA damage seen with ethylene oxide exposure. Thus, ethylene is unlikely to cause cancer. Based upon this and other research, which was presented to IARC scientists, ethylene and propylene were not designated as carcinogens. In addition to triggering labeling and reporting requirements, the desig nation would have triggered concerns about food contact uses of polymers derived from the two chemicals and extensive data collection and analysis would have been necessary. For more information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Moran at 202/887-1182. CHEMSTAR Shines on Its Own We are pleased to announce the establishmentofCHEMSTARas a CMA department and congratulate Dr. Lan gley A. Spurlock for being named as its Vice President. Twenty-two years ago, the Board of Directors of the Manufac turing Chemists Association approved the first self-funded chemical specific organization under the Association's umbrella. The "Ad Hoc Task Group on Phosgene Safety/' as it was called, was the beginning of today's CHEMSTAR Phosgene Panel at CMA. This single event launched a re markable evolution of special interests within the Association's membership. From one research-focused special project, the trail led through specialpro grams focused on regulatory activities (advocacy), to broad-spectrum organi zations addressing a wide variety of topics important to the chemical indus try. In 1979, these special issue groups totaled seventeenan i wereconsolidated as the Biomedical i nd Environmental Special Projects Div sion. Then, in 1986 the division was rem imed CHEMSTAR. For the past three ye. irs it has been a part of CMA's Technical Services Depart ment. On April 19, the CMA Board approved the formation of the CHEMSTAR Depan ment to be headed by a newly appointed Vice President, Dr. Spurlock. Since its inceptio n, CHEMSTARhas grown to manage the activities of 66 groups (60 panels, an d 6 councils) which address advocacy,n search, education, communication, evaluation, and litiga tion efforts. As a fi 11-fledged depart ment of CMA, CHEMSTAR looks for ward to continuing Its tradition of ex cellence in providing high value-added services to the chemical industry. For more information, co stactLaura Sutton at 202/887-1220. Comipromise On Neurotox Test Rule In 1991, EPA published the Multisubstance Proposed Rule for the Testing of Neurotoxicity under TSCA Section 4. The test rule required that a battery of six neurotoxicity studies be conducted on ten solvents: butanol, methyl isobutyl ketcne, acetone, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, 2-ethoxyethanol, isobutyl alcohol, butyl acetate, n-amyl acetate, and tetrahydrofuran. The spe cific studies require) 1 by the test rule were: acute and subrironic motor ac tivity and functional observation bat tery; subchronic neu opathology; and, subchronic schedule* :ontrolled operant behavior (SCOB) testing. This proposed tes t rule was a depar ture from previous testing programs un derTSCA, in that it wa; the firsttime EPA had required testing ft r a single endpoint fbragroupofessential! yunrelatedchemi cals. EPA typically had required testing for multiple endpoint s for a single com poundor a group ofre! ated compounds. In 1992, EPA declared an "open season" with the opp< wtunity to initiate negotiations for TSCA Section 4 testing consent orders. Producers of the ten chemicals cited in the test rule formed the CHEMSTAR Neurotoxicity Work Group to develop an alternative pro posal. 'The final rule, issued in July 1993, was virtually identical to the pro posed rule and did not consider any of the Work Group's proposals. After carefully considering all op tions, manufacturers filed a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in October 1993. The petition challenged all testing requirements for six chemi cals (ethyl acetate, butyl alcohol, ac etone, MIBK, diethyl ether and 2-EE), and the SCOB testing requirement for the remaining four chemicals. The legal challenge reflected disagreement prin cipally on two issues: (1) whether stud ies submitted by petitioners during the rulemaking proceedings were sufficient to enable EPA to evaluate potential neu rotoxicity hazards for the six chemicals; and (2) whether it was appropriate to include the SCOB test in an initial bat tery of neurotoxicity screening studies. In December 1993, CMA and EPA began settlement negotiations which resulted in a tentative settlement agree ment being signed on April 28, 1994. Culminating a two-yeareffort, the settle ment agreement provides for a substan tial reduction in testing requirements, but still requires some testing for most of the ten chemicals covered by the final rule. The settlement is expected to be come finalsometime laterthis yearwhen the modified testing requirements have beet incorporated into testing consent agreements. Although the settlement agreement provides for a stay of testing require ments, petitioners have already initi ated testing on butylacetate, isobutanol, and ethyl acetate. Under the terms of the settlement, all testing will be com pleted within the same 36-month timeframe established in the final test rule. Additionally, the settlementagree ment stipulates that EPA and petition ers will jointly sponsor a public work- i III Mv I u: Summer 1994 CMA 030990 shop after the SCOB testing is com pleted to discuss a variety of neurotox icity testing and risk assessment topics. On June 27, EPA published three notices in the Federal Register announc ing the following: Stay of the Multisubstance Rule for the Testing of Neurotoxicity, Proposed Revocation of the Final Multisubstance Rule for the Testing of Neurotoxicity, and a Pro posal for the Opportunity to Participate in Negotiations for Neurotoxicity Test ing. This latternotice confirmed a meet ing for July 28, in which interested par ties to the testing could identify dis agreements and comment on the testing plans in the draft enforceable consent agreements. Because no commentswere offered at the July 28 Meeting, EPA used the public forum to outlinea sched ule for finalizing the consentagreements and revoking the test rule. Despite the legal challenge to an EPA final rule, the test sponsors have been able to maintain a very construc tive dialogue with the Agency on tech nical improvements to the test proto cols, and on changes to the schedules that will permit mo re efficient testing of individual compounds. Early in the litigation, petitione re agreed to acceler ate testingfor two compounds forwhich only SCOB testing requirements were being challenged. EPA, in turn, agreed to allow petitioners to defer testing on other chemicals for which all testing requirements were being challenged. Petitioners believe this cooperative ap proach on both sides played an impor tant role in the ultimate negotiation of a settlement of the case. For more infor mation, contactBarbara Francis at202/ 887-1314. T ntathre Settlement Agreem nt Requirements Chemicals Isobutyl Alcohol Butyl Acetate Ethyl Acetate Acetone Methyl Isobutyl Ketone Buanol n-Amyl Acetate Tetrehydrofuran 2-Ethoxyethanol Diethyl Ether Required Studies all studies all studies all studies SCOB Only SCOB Only Hydrolysis Study of n-buty! acetate to charac terizethe rate ofhydroly sis to butanol all studies except SCOB all studies except SCOB no testing; SNUR required before use in consumer products no testing This is the latest article in a series which highlights the activities ofthe various CHEMSTAR Panels and Councils. In February, the Olefins Panel and the Butadiene Panelmerged to formthe new Olefins Panel. Previously, die Buta diene Panel focused on a variety of health-based regulations while the Ole fins Panel concentrated onenvironmen tal regulations fromanengineeringpoint of view. The Butadiene Panel formed in 1984 to address EPA's review of a National Toxicology Program mouse bioassay under TSCA Section 4(f). The Panel commented on the resulting EPA risk assessment and referral to OSHA under TSCA Section 9 for development of a workplace standard. The Panel has fo cussed on conducting research and com menting on a variety of state and federal regulations, frequently in cooperation with the American Petroleum Institute and the International Institute of Syn thetic Rubber Producers. The Olefins Panel was originally formed in 1991 to coordinate advocacy on environmental issues affecting eth ylene manufacturers. The Panel's ini tial focus was on the Gean Air Act In a major accomplishment, the Panel con vinced EPA that ethylene manufactur ing processes were so different from other Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry processes that they shouldbe specificallyexcluded from the Hazardous Organic National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Accordingly, EPA issued the finalrule for the HONin March with a specific exclusion for ethylene manu facturing. Ethylene manufacturing will be added to the source category list and EPA will propose the devel pmentofa specific Maximum Achievable Control Technology standard. The Panel will work with EPA to develop appropriate MACT standards for ethylene manu facturing. In addition to continuing the work of the original Butadiene and Olefins Panels, the new Panel will address re search and advocacy on chemicals of interest to all ethylene manufacturers. At present, the Panel covers the major products ethylene and propylene, and the by-products butadiene and 4vinylcydohexene. Benzene and other by-products may be addressed if the need arises. Summer 1994 ' i H \ki \i: CriA 030991 Dr. Norman Morrow of Exxon Chemical Americas chairs the new Ole fins Panel. He was chair of both the Olefins and Butadiene Panels. Panel member companies include: American Petroleum Institute Amoco Chemical Company Asahi Chemical Industry BP Chemicals, Inc Chevron Chemical Company The Dow Chemical Company Eastman Chemical Company Exxon Chemical Company Pina Oil and Chemical Co. Huntsman Corporation Lyondell Petrochemical Co. Mobil Chemical Company Novacor Chemicals Ltd. Occidental Chemical Corp. Phillips Petroleum Co. Quantum Chemical Company Shell Oil Company Texaco, Inc. Texas Petrochemicals Corp. Union Carbide Corporation Union Texas Products Corp. Good Science - the Cornerstone of Butadiene Advocacy Butadiene is a potent carcinogen in the mouse but only a weak carcinogen in the rat. Epidemiology studies have failed to establish a link between buta diene exposure and increases in cancer in the workplace. The question of can cer risk to humans, if any, has led to the development of a four-year research program. The Panel's research exam ines the effects and metabolismofbuta diene in different species in order to understand the mechanism by which butadiene causes cancer in mice. The relevance of mouse effects to humans is being examined by an analysis of spe cies differences (mouse, rat, human) in metabolism. Once these differences are understood, the risk to humans can be assessed more accurately. The IISRP is sponsoring a compre hensive epidemiology update study on butadiene. Theepidemiology and Panel research results will compliment each other in defining butadiene effects and risks. Advocacy - the Butadiene Story During its 10 years of existence, the Butadiene Panel has supported an ad vocacy program directed toward EPA, OSHA, IARC and the California OSHA. The Panel's advocacy focuses on proper evaluation of the scientific data on BD and appropriate humanrisk assessment Significant Accomplishments In conjunction with the Phosgene and Ethylene Oxide Panels, the Butadi ene Panel conducted the most compre hensive measurement of fugitive emis sion factors ever done in SOCMI. The Panels' data showed thatemissions from most components are much lower than EPA estimates. The Panels' work led EPA to change the standard emission factors used for SOCMI. In comments on EPA's draft report, "Mobile-Sources Air Toxics Study", re quired under the Clean Air ActAmend ments, the Butadiene Panel emphasized EPA's inconsistent approach to risk as sessment and its failure to consider spe cies differences in BD effects. As a re sult, EPA's final report contained a bal anced review of the data. Future regu lation of motor vehicle emissions will have sound science and a balanced analysis of risks as a basis. The Panel formed a joint program with IISRP and the American Petro leum Institute to address the proposed OSHA workplace standard of 2 ppm for butadiene. IISRP took the lead in epide miology issues while the Panel orga nized die toxicology research and risk assessment. The two organizations worked together on feasibility, applica tion and medical surveillance. The final OSHA standard is expected in early 1995. The Panel negotiated a consent or der in lieu of a test rule under TSCA Section 4 on 4-vinylcyclohexene (4VCH), commonly known as butadiene dimer. The consent order testing com pares 4-VCH to butadiene, rather than requiring an exhaustive independent testing program. As a result of this approach, the industry saved several million dollars in testing costs. California has reviewed BD under three regulations. First, Cal-OSHA pro posed the establishment of a workplace standard. The Panel commented on Cal-OSHA's proposal and participated in an Advisory Group Meeting. As a result, California set its occupational exposure standard at 2 ppm, consistent with the proposed federal OSHA Stan dard. Next, California listed BD as high priority for review as a reproductive toxicant under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). The Panel filed com ments on the flaws in the species differ ences data and the toxicity database. As a result, BD is no longer a candidate for priority review. The California Air Re sources Board also proposed to list BD as a Hazardous Air Contaminant and developed a cancer potency factor. The Panel Bled comments on the use of spe cies differences data in the risk assess ment Although unsuccessful in affect ing the risk assessment, the Panel may request a re-evaluation by the Board once the BD research program is com pleted. In 1988, the Panel co-sponsored an International Symposium on Health Effects ofButadiene, inconjunctionwith IISRP and NTP. A second symposium is scheduled for June 27-29,1995. This symposium will provide a forum for presenting the results of the CMA and IISRP research programs. Olefins Panel Accomplishments In February, the International Agency for Research on Cancer began a review of 14 chemicals, including ethyl ene and propylene, for possible desig nation as carcinogens. Although life time animal studies on both chemicals did not indicate any elevation in cancer incidence, IARC's concern was based on the metabolism of these chemicals to ethylene oxide and propylene oxide which are known animal carcinogens. Responding to the IARC review, the Olefins Panel formed a joint pro gram with the producers of polyethyl ene and polypropylene in the Society of the Plastics Industry. The program con sistedofresearchonethylene conducted i M! MM \K Summer 1994 CMA 030992 at the University of North Carolina, development of scientific review pa pers by the Panel, and coordination of a communications program by SPI. The research was designed to look for ethyl ene oxide-specific effects in ethyleneexposed rats and mice. The results veri fied die metabolism of ethylene to eth ylene oxide but found no increase in ethylene oxide-specific DNA adducts or other health effects. Based on the research results and observed effects, IARC continued to assign ethylene and propylene to its unclassified category. The Olefins Panel recently com pleted a benchmarking survey on haz ardous air pollutant and Volatile Or ganic Compound emissions frommem ber company facilities. A follow-up survey is planned for later this year or in 1995. The Olefins Panel held a workshop on methods for controlling fugitive emissions. Asurvey ofcontrol practices was conducted in conjunction with the workshop. Sharing of information will help member companies design strate gies to control emissions from ethylene manufacturing. The Panel commented on the draft EPA Alternative Control Technology document, "Control of NOx Emissions from Process Heaters." The document will be used by states in ozonenonattainment areas to develop NOx emission controls under the Clean Air Act Amendments. The Panel succeeded in demonstrating to EPA that process heaters used in ethylene manufacturing should be treated differently from pro cess heaters in general. The Panel's advocacy efforts will result in the appli cation of appropriate control strategies by die states. What's Next? The new Olefins Panel will con tinue and complete the BD researchpro gram, work with API and IISRP to ad dress the OSHA workplace standard, and work with API on Clean Air Act advocacyunderthe Mobile Sources Pro visions. In addition, the Panel will con tinue to advocate the use of good sci ence and reasonable risk assessment in state and federal regulations. As part of this effort, the Panel is beginning to develop its own risk assessment which willincorporate the results of the mecha nistic and species differences research and IISRP epidemiology findings. The Panelwillsupportenvironmen tal advocacy under the Clean Air Act, including the development of a MAC! standard for ethylene manufacture. Research on the health effects of ethyl ene and propylene will be considered and advocacy will continue as needed. The Panelisworkingwiththe CEFIC Lower Olefins Sector Group to develop coordinated research and advocacy pro grams onethylene, propylene, and buta diene. Currently, butadiene reproduc tive effects research is being conducted jointly with CEFIC. The CEFIC group will focus on male reproductive effects, and the Panel will focus on ovarian effects. Together, the two groups are developing a research and advocacy strategy on ethylene and propylene. For more information on the new Olefint Panel, contact Dr. Elizabeth Moran at 202/887-1182. California Lets Go On Giycol Ethers (Sacramento, CA, January 10) For the second and final time, Cali fornia legislators defeated a billattempt ing to restrict the use of certain ethylene and propylene glycol ethers. The pro posedlegislation, introduced previously by Senator Tom Hayden, included ele ments from criminalizing the use ofcer tain glycolethers to directingCal*OSHA to perform numerous and redundant reviews on other glycol ethers. The Ethylene Glycol Ethers Panel appeared before the California Senate Appropria tions Committee last April opposing the bill. At this second hearing of the bill, Cal-OSHA took the lead in oppos ing the initiative. The bill was defeated by a vote of 6 to 5. For more informa tion, contact Kathryn A. Rosica at202/ 887-1293. Fuels Detergent Task Group Points To Simplicity (Washington, DC, January 11) The Fuels Detergent Performance Task Group, of the Petroleum Addi tives Panel, testified at a public hearing on EPA's proposed regulation for de posit control gasoline additives. The TaskGroup alsosubmittedwrittencom ments on February 14 supporting the broadoutlinesofthe performance-based self-certification system that EPA pro posed. However, the Task Group ex pressed concerns on several points which can be clarified, simplified, and made more practical and cost-effective without sacrificing air quality benefits. TheTask Group coordinated effortswith the American Petroleum Institute in developing comments and test data for the proposed rulemaking. For more information, contact Kathleen Roberts at 202/887-1146. Handling Phenol Safely (Washington, DC, February 1) Manufacturers of phenol have developed a self-con tained training program on how to handle and transport phenol safely. The training program, which includes in structor and student work books, along with two sepa rate videotapes, is part of the Phenol Panel's program to improve health, safety and environmentalperformance in the industry. The trainingpro gram targets customers, transporters, plant personnel and other downstream users andemphasizes firstaid measures, personal protective equipment, emer gency response, plant handling, and unloadingprocedures and precautions. Phenol is a hazardous material and care must be exercised when handling Summer 1994 i 11! \|s| \i: CMft 030993 the material. "The training program has been very well received by phenol users as a versatile and important tool in training their workers," stated Joe Shrom of AlliedSignal, Chairof the Task Group whichproduced the trainingpro gram. For more information on obtain ing the training program, contact Kathryn Rosica at 202/887-1293. Cresols Panel Craves Change (Washington, DC, February 2) Representatives of the Cresols Panel met with members of EPA's Carcino gen Risk Assessment Verification En deavor Work Group and the Office of Health and Environmental Assessment The purpose of the meeting was to dis cuss the IRIS database classification of cresols as "possible human carcino gens." The Panel believes that the stud ies cited in the IRIS database do not support this classification and further believes that results from the Panel's earlier TSCA Section 4 testing program, which were not included in the IRIS review, indicate that the cresol isomers should not be classified as carcinogens. The presentation was well received and the Panel believes the CRAVE Work Group will reconsider the cresols classi fication in the next fiscal year. For more information, contact Barbara Francis at 202/887-1314. Carbon Disulfide Objects to Uts (Washington, DC, March 3) Members of the Carbon Disulfide Panel met with EPA representatives to discuss the universal treatment stan dards for carbon disulfide, proposed under RCRA. The Panel objected to the standards proposed for carbon disul fide because they are based on limited data fromwaste treatment facilities that do not reflect Panel member facilities' wastewater. Waste CS, occurs in the process water of Panel members' facili ties in low concentrations. The pro posedstandards are inappropriatewhen applied to Panel member companies' wastewater which is characterized by high volume, low CSj levels. The Panel had provided some data from the manu facturing facilities prior to the meeting and agreed to provide additional data in support of its position. EPA was receptive to considering the new data in future rulemakings. For more informa tion, contact Dr. Elizabeth Moran at 202/887-1182. HFIPI Is Formed (Washington, DC, March 8) The Hydrogen Fluoride Industry Practices Institute, a subsidiary of the Chemical Manufacturers Association, was officially established. The Insti tute, whose members include hydrogen fluoride manufacturers and users or processors, will develop and publish recommended practices for the HF in dustry in transportation, storage, con struction materials, personal protective equipment, and other areas of concern. At this time, the Institute is developing a canvas list of reviewers who will pro vide technical input for the first set of guidance documents. For more infor mation, contact Kathleen Roberts, HFIPI Administrator, at 2021887-1146. Butyl Acetate Task Group Gets Extension (Washington, DC, March 18) As a result of the Oxo Process Panel Butyl Acetate Task Group's efforts, the AmericanConference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists granted a one-year extension of its re-consideration of the Threshold Limit Value for n-butyl ac etate until March 1995. In 1992, ACGIH published a notice of intended change of the n-butyl acetate TLV from 150 ppm to 20 ppm. In 1993, the Oxo Process Panel Butyl Acetate Task Group met with TLV Subcommittee members to discuss inconclusive results of toxicol ogy research designed to replicate Eu ropean toxicity studies. Inanattemptto characterize aerosol exposure to n-bu tyl acetate in the workplace, the Task Group intends to conduct workplace monitoring studies to characterize aero sol exposure to n-butyl acetate. For more information, contact Barbara Francis at 202/887-1314. The ABCs Of Biocides (Sacramento, CA, April 11) The Biocides Panel presented a workshop on biocides and their uses to the California Department of Pesticide Registration. The workshop was de signed to provide regulators with spe cific informationon industrialprocesses, biocide application points, industrial hygiene practices of workers, and occu pational and environmental exposure potentials. Through educational ses sions like this workshop, the Panelhopes to encourage streamlining of regula tory processes by highlighting the low humanand environmental exposure po tentials of biocides. Comments follow ing the workshop indicated that the audience found the information useful in expanding their knowledge of the biocides industry. For more informa tion, contact Dr. Has Shah at 202/8871192. Biocide TRI Tribulati ns (Washington, DC, April 11) The Biocides Panel submitted com ments on EPA's proposed rule to add 313 chemicals and chemical categories to the Toxic Release Inventory under EPCRA. ThePanel's comments focused on the proposed addition of 25 indus trial biocide active ingredients to the TRL The addition of these biocides to the TRIwould contradict the findings of EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs in extensive reviews conducted under FIFRA. The Panel pointed out that in conducting its regulatory impact analy sis, the Agency failed to consider the potential impact of the TRI listing on biocide registrants and users. For more information, contact Dr. Has Shah at 202/887-1192. Petroleum Additives Pan I Goes Abroad (Paris, France, April 13) Members of the Petroleum Addi tives Panel Product Approval Protocol Task Group briefed representatives of the Europeanadditives, automotive and petroleum industries on two years of experience with the Code of Practice for engine oil testing. The Code became ( III \|s | Al' Summer 1994 CMA 030994 operational in 1992. The CEFIC Addi tives Technical Committee is leading the development of a European quality monitoring system that is expected to embrace many of the elements of the Panel's Code. The presentation reviewed the North American system for testing and certification of engine oils, the stake holders involved, and the role of the CMA Code in the process. A status report on the Code operation included results achieved, the compliance pro cess and current CMA initiatives. For more information or copies of the pre sentation, contact Dr. Carol Stack at 202/887-1196. AIC And EPA Discuss (Washington, DC, April 14) The Antimicrobial Industry Coali tion, composed of the Biocides Panel, Chemical Specialty Manufacturers As sociation, International Sanitary Sup ply Association, and the Soap and De tergent Association, met with Dr. Lynn Goldman's staff at EPA to discuss the antimicrobial industry's suggestions to streamline the pesticide registration process. Adoption of these suggestions would significantly reduce die burden on the Agency's staff without compro mising the integrity of scientific review. The AIC will continue to work with EPA onstreamliningactivities. Formore information, contact Dr. Has Shah at 202/887-1192. Total Quality Council Assists Birth OfNVCASE (Washington, DC, April 22) The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced the estab lishmentof theNational VoluntaryCon formity Assessment System Evaluation Program. The Program will provide a basis for the U.S. Government to assure foreign governments, particularly Eu ropean Union members, that qualified U.S. conformity assessment bodies are competant to satisfy foreign regulatory requirements. NVCASE covers organi zationsengaged inproductsample test ing, product certification and quality system registration. Publication of the finalruleconcludes more than fouryears of workby industry, including the Total Quality Council, systems registrars and the U.S. government. Council action centered on preventing government duplication of efforts already under way in the private sector. Establish ment of NVCASE reflects the impor tance of conformity assessment activi ties to international trade, particularly in the negotiation of Mutual Recogni tion Agreements aimed at improving access for U.S. goods and services to foreign markets. For more information, contact Trish Messenger at 202/8871169. EGE Panel International Rendezvous (Nancy, France, April 21) Members of the Ethylene Glycol Ethers Panel Toxicology Research Task Group presented results of research on a number of different ethylene glycol ethers at the International Symposium on Health Hazards of Glycol Ethers, in Nancy. The symposium, jointly spon sored by the U.S., French and Swedish governments, and involving over 250 participants from 17 different countries, showcased research findings since the last symposium on glycol ethers held over 10 years ago. Panel-sponsored research high lighted the safety of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, (also known as 2butoxyethanol, and the commercial trade names of Butyl Cellosolve", Butyl Oxitol", Dowanol"EB, Ektasolve"EB Solvent, and Glycol Ether EB"). Re searchon the safety of diethylene glycol butyl ether and triethylene glycol ethers also was presented by Panel members. These other glycol ethers are produced in relatively smaller quantities andhave more specialized uses thanethylene gly col monobutyl ether. Presentations or posters were given by Drs. Ralph GingeU of Shell Oil, Rich ard Corley of Dow Chemical, Tipton Tyler of Union Carbide, and Rodney Boatman of Eastman Kodak. For more irrformation, contact Kathryn Rosica at 202/887-1293. PGE Panel Gets Stay (Washington, DC, May 25) EPA published a stay of the TSCA Section 8(a) and 8(d) reporting rule on the propylene glycol ethers included by the Interagency Testing Committee in its Thirty-First Report The Propylene Glycol Ethers Panel submitted several letters to the ITC when the report was first published pointing out errors or confusion with the nomenclature, CAS numbers and toxicology information on many of the chemicals in the category. The Panel and ITC have agreed to work together to clarify and correct both the ITC Report and TSCA reporting rules. Formore information, contact Kathryn Rosica at 202/887-1293. CHEMSTAR NEWS a published quarterly at a sente* ofChemicalManufacturers Anode, boa Chemical Self-funded Technical Advo cacy and Research Department No special permission it required to quote or reproduce from this publication. Credit Is appreciated when reproducing ankles. Correspondence may be sent to CHEMSTAR NEWS, 2SOI M Street N.W, WcehinjTon, DC 20037; Tele phone 2021887-1337; fas 202/887-5427. Kim Reed and Laura Sutton, Editors; Laura Levfc Layout. Summer 1994 i in \isi \r CMA 030995 Phosgene Departure EOIC Switches Chairs Dr. A.W. Hursey, an active Dr. Donald Stevenson is retiring memberof the Phosgene Panel, from Shell Oil Company and also will will be retiring from GE Plas retire as Chair of the Toxicology Task tics. Many thanks to Dr. Hursey Group of the Ethylene Oxide Industry for all his effort over the years. Council. Dr. Sandra Reiss-Murphy of BFRIP Retirement BASF will replace him as Chair. Stevenson will continue to work with The Brominated Flame Re the EOIC as a consultant. tardant Industry Panel bid a David Townsend of Hoechst fond farewell to Bill Hayes, of Ethyl Celanese stepped down as Chair of the Corporation, as he retired earlier this EOIC Safety TaskGroup. LouTumerof year. Bill has an integral part of BFRIP ShellOilCompanywillbe thenew Chair since its inception. The Panel origi of theTask Group. Many thanks to Don nally formed in 1985 under die Fire and David for their hard work and to Retardant Chemicals Association, and Sandra and Lou for taking over! became a CHEMSTAR Panel in 1990. Bill's tireless dedication and expertise TQC Leadership Succession will be missed by allwho had the plea Ron Carlson of Amoco Chemical sure of working with him. The Panel was elected to take the reins of the Total wishes Bill the best of luck on all of his Quality Council. He succeeds David endeavors (including his golf game) at Lindsay of Lyondell, who spearheaded his new home in Tuscon, AZ! efforts to make Council operations even Phenol Co-Chair Changes more efficient and effective. Welcome to Ron and many thanks to Dave! Dr. Thomas Gardiner of Shell Chemical was elected Regulatory Co- Richard "Wise's" Upl Chair of the Phenol Panel. Gardiner Richard WiseofUnionCarbideCor replaces James Santory of Aristech poration created a void in several Chemical, whoprovided the Panel with CHEMSTAR Panels when he retired in excellent leadership over the past sev March from Union Carbide Corpora eral years. Santory will continue to tion. Mr. Wise served as Chair of the serve on the Panel. Gardiner was pre Oxo Process Panel and Ethylene Glycol viously Chair of the Panel's Toxicol Ethers Panels and represented Union ogy Research Task Group. Best of luck Carbide on the Ketones, Isopropanol, to both Jim and Tom and Acetone Panels. Additionally,Wise was instrumentalin organizingtheNeu rotoxicity Work Group, formed in 1992 in response to EPA's "Open Season" comment period for the Multisubstance Proposed Test Rule for the Testing of Neurotoxicity. Chairing this Group as well. Wise contributed to the final settlement agreement signed with EPA on April 28 (See "Features" section). Always finding spare time to organize and chair new groups. Wise was pivotal in forming the Air Issues Task Group in December 1993 which addresses Clean Air issues relevant to the Ke tones and Oxo Process Panels. Dick will be missed by CHEMSTAR, but we all wishhim the best of luck in his retirement! Oxo Process and EGE Look to Eastman InApril, theOxo Process and Eth ylene Glycol Ethers Panels changed chairs as a result of the retirement of Richard Wise of Union Carbide Cor poration. Eastman Chemical helped make the transition smooth as Dr. Roderick Gerwe and Glenn Jones were elected to chair the Oxo Process and Ethylene Glycol Ethers Panels, respectively. Gerwe is already wellknown to CHEMSTAR. In addition to his position at Eastman Chemical as a Senior Associate, Gerwe finds time for the Acetone Panel, Ketones Panel, and other CMA groups. Thanks again to Dick, and welcome aboard to Rod and Glenn. We look forward to a great year! Vive la difference... made by Larry Andrews of Arco Chemical who served as a con tact for industry observers dur ing the InternationalAgency for Research on Cancer review meeting which took place in Europe from February 15-22. Larry worked in coordination with Dr. James Swenberg (USA industry ob server) to represent all 14 chemicals which were reviewed. Larry served as the primary technical contact for Dr. Swenberg before and during the LARC meeting, as well as maintaining daily contact with industry observers to keep them updated and informed of the progress of the meeting. He was alsoonhand todistributeadditional information on the chemicals to the reviewers. We thank Larry for act ing as such an effective liaison for die industry in this arena. < i ii \ ii w CMA 030996 Summer 1994 RECENT RELEASES SUNSET Th Nitrosamines Panel The Nitrosamines Panel officially terminated in January. The Panel formed in 1990 to identify and address impending federal and international regulatory actions that could impact nitrosamines. Products of interest to member companies included: rubber additives, secondary amines, cosmetic components, soaps, detergents, and sur factants. In 1993, the Panel completed a chapter on N-nitrosamines in Patty's Industrial Hygiene & Toxicology. The Panel members also participated in 1993 in the EPA "stakeholders" meeting as part of the EPA Risk Management Re view Process, During its lifetime, the PanelworkedwithOSHA, NIOSH,EPA, the National Safety Council and other government agencies to discuss potentialexposures in the work place and to promote reason able regulations. Dr. Charles Greenof WitcoCorporationwas the Panel's last Chair. For more information, contact Dee Kuhn at 202/887-1300. Comments Comments to EPA on Chlorine Di oxide Panel Request for a Waiver of Two-Toxicity Tests for Sodium Chlo rite (filed by the Chlorine Dioxide Panel, January 11,1994). Comments to ACGIH on the Hy drazine Research Update (filed by the Hydrazine Panel, January 14,1994). Comments to EPA on the TSCA Section 8(a) and 8(d) Rule and the 31st Interagency Testing Committee Report (filed by the Propylene Glycol Ethers Panel, January 26,1994). Comments to EPA on the Proposed Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Addi tives; Standards for Deposit Control Gasoline Additives (filed by the Fuels Detergent Performance Task Group, Febru ary 11,1994). Comments to EPA on EPA's Pro posed Test Rule for Ethyl Acetate and Other Compounds (filed by the Oxo Pro cess Panel, February 22,1994). Comments to the Virginia Depart ment of Environmental Quality on Regulations for the Control and Abate ment of Air Pollution (filed by the Ac etone Panel, February 24,1994). Comments to EPA on the Draft Disinfection By-Products Preamble and Rule (filed by the Chlorine Dioxide Panel, February 28,1994). Comments to EPA on the Effluent Limitations Guidelines, Pretreatment Standards and New Source Perfor mance Standards: Pulp, Paper and Pa perboard Category; National Emis sions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category. Pulp and Paper Production; Proposed Rule (filed by the Alkylphenols and Ethoxylates Panel, March 14,1994). Comments to EPA on the Exten sion of Time and Finding Concerning Fuel Additive WaiverApplication(filed by the Petroleum Additives Panel, Health, Envir., and Reg. Task Group, March 15, 1994). Comments to LARC on the Cat egory 1 Listing of Ethylene Oxide (filed by the Ethylene Oxide Industry Council, March 25,1994). Comments to EPA on the EPA RM1 Review of Mercaptobenzothiazole (filed by the RubberAdditives Panel, March 25,1994). Comments to EPA on the Fuels and Fuel Additives Registration Regu lations (filed by the Petroleum Additives Panel, Health, Envir.,and Reg. TaskGroup, March 28,1994). Comments to EPA on the Proposed Listing of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) on the EPCRA Section 313 Toxics Release Inventory (filed by the Rubber Additives Panel, April 7,1994). Comments to EPA on the Proposal to Add Certain Chemicals and Chemi cal Categories to the List of Chemicals Required to be Reported Under Sec tion 313 of the Emergency Planning and Right-to-Know Act (filed by the Diisocyanates panel, April 12,1994). Comments to EPA on the Proposed Listing of Sodium Chlorite under Section 313 (d)(2)(B) of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (filed by the Chlorine Dioxide Panel, April 12, 1994). Comments to EPA n Supplemental Data Submis sionRelatingto Land Disposal Restrictions for Newly Identi fied and Listed Hazardous Wastes and Hazardous Soil (filed the Carbon Disulfide Panel, April 19,1994). Comments to EPA on the Occu pational Monitoring for MBT (filed by the Rubber Additives Panel, April 29, 1994), Comments to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on the Pro posed Addition of Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether to the List of Regulated Hazardous Air Pollutants (filed by the Propylene Glycol Ethers Panel, April 29,1994). Comments to the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Trans port of Dangerous Goods on the Pro posal to Remove Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (U.N. 2369) from U.N. Recommendations (filed by the Ethylene Glycol Ethers Panel, May 18, 1994). Summer 1994 CMA 030997 Final Reports "Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether Development of a Physiologi cally-Based Pharmacokinetic Model For Human Health Risk Assessment," (Ethylene Glycol Ethers Panel, September IS, 1993). "Isopropanol Vapor Inhalation Oncogenicity Study in CD-I Mice," (Isopropanol Panel, January, 21,1994). "Ethylene: Four Week Vapor In halation Bone Marrow Micronucleus Test in Rats and Mice," (Butadiene Panel, April 8,1994). "Ethylene: Four Week Vapor In halation Exposure of Rats and Mice for Genetic Toxicology Endpoints," (Butadiene Panel, April 8,1994). "Rat and Mouse Bone Marrow Micronucleus Assay of 4Vinylcydohexene," (Butadiene Panel, April 8,1994). "Subchronic Toxicity Study by the Inhalation Route inRatsand Mice with 4-Vinylcydohexene, Volumes 1 and 2," (Butadiene Panel, April 8,1994). "Two-Week Range-Finding Study with 4-Vinylcydohexene in Rats and Mice," (Butadiene Panel, April 8,1994). "Identification of Ethylene Glycol Metabolites in the Plasma of Female Sprague-Dawley Rats and CD-I Mice," (Ethylene Glycol Panel, April 22,1994). "Ninety-Day Vapor Inhalation Neurotoxidty Study in Female Fischer Rats," (Isopropanol Panel, May 17,1994). "Immunohistochemical Evalua tion of Alpha 2u-globulin in Kidneys of F-344 Rats from the Isopropanol Nine Day Vapor Inhalation Study," (May 17,1994). Federal Register Notices "40 C.F.R. Parts 63 and 430 - Public Meeting on the Rulemaking for the Pulp, Paperand Paperboard Industry" (59FR42854, January 11,1994). "Fuels and Fuel Additives Regis tration Regulations" (59FR8886, Febru ary 24,1994). "Hazardous Waste Management System; Carbamate Production Iden tification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; and CERCLA Hazardous Sub stance Designation and Reportable Quantities" (59FR9808, March 1,1994). "EPA Final Rule to Establish the Agency's Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) Program Under Section 612 of the Clean Air Act" (59FR13044, March 18,1994). "Preliminary Assessment Infor mation and Health and Safety Data Reporting; Addition of Chemicals; Stay of Certain Reporting Require ments' (59FR14115, March 25,1994). "Final Rule, Establishment of the National Voluntary Conformity As sessment System Evaluation Program" (59FR19129, April 22,1994). i I II Ms I \l Summer 1994 CMA 030998 CHEMSTAR NEWS Needs Your Input! CHEMSTARwants to provide its members with the most useful and enlight ening information available. We are overhauling the CHEMSTAR Newslet ter to focus on your needs and wants. Please take a moment to answer the following questions: 1. What elements of the existing Newsletter do you find useful? 2. What items would you suggest adding to the Newsletter? 3. What items would you suggest deleting? 4. Is the Newsletter too long or too short? 5. Do you have any additional comments? If you have any questions, please call Kim Reed at 202/887-1191. Thank you for your help. Please return this survey by fax to Kim Reed, Editor CHEMSTAR News, at 202/887-5427 CMA 0309^9