Notice of intent to list 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI)

A chemical may be listed under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly known as Proposition 65, codified at Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.) when a body considered to be authoritative by the state’s qualified experts has formally identified the chemical as causing cancer or reproductive toxicity.  The following entities are identified as authoritative bodies for this purpose:  the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Toxicology Program. 

As the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) within the California Environmental Protection Agency intends to list the chemical, 4-Methylimidazole (CAS No. 822-36-6) as known to the State to cause cancer, pursuant to this administrative mechanism as provided in Health and Safety Code section 25249.8(b) and Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306 (formally Title 22, Cal. Code of Regs., section 12306). 

Relevant information related to the possible listing of 4-Methylimidazole was requested in a notice published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on January 25, 2008 (Register 2008, No. 4‑Z).  OEHHA received and responded to public comments. 

OEHHA has determined that 4-Methylimidazole meets the criteria for listing under Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306, based on the findings of the National Toxicology Program (NTP, 2007).  OEHHA is therefore issuing this notice of intent to list this chemical under Proposition 65.  A document providing more detail on the basis for the listing of 4‑Methylimidazole can be obtained from the OEHHA Web site or by calling (916) 445-6900. 

Comments as to whether 4-Methylimidazole meets the criteria for listing provided in Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306, along with any supporting documentation, are requested, but not required, to be transmitted via email addressed to sam.delson@oehha.ca.gov or may be sent to:

Proposition 65
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Street Address:  1001 I Street
Sacramento, California  95814
Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 4010
Sacramento, California  95812-4010
Fax No.:  (916) 323-8803    Telephone:  (916) 445-6900

In order to be considered, comments must be received at OEHHA by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009 5 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2009.

Comment Period

• Comment Period - Chemicals Under Consideration for Possible Listing Via the Authoritative Bodies Mechanism: Request for Relevant information - Dibromoacetic acid, 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI)
• Comment Period - Notice of intent to list 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI)
• Extension of Comment Period - Notice of intent to list 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI)

Downloads

Supporting Document Chemical Meeting the Criteria for Listing as Causing Cancer 4‑Methylimidazole (4-MEI) (OEHHA, 2009)
Mar 13, 2009

Chemical Reference

• 4-Methylimidazole

Related Notices

• Chemicals Under Consideration for Possible Listing Via the Authoritative Bodies Mechanism: Request for Relevant information - Dibromoacetic acid, 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI)

  Jan 25, 2008

Footnotes and References

National Toxicology Program (NTP, 2007).  Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 4-Methylimidazole (CAS No. 822-36-6) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies).  NTP Technical Report Series No. 535. NIH Publication No. 07-4471.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.