Latest News

Availability of hazard identification materials for environmental tobacco smoke and announcement of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee meeting.

OEHHA accepted public comments on draft fish advisories concerning elevated levels of mercury in some fish in Lake Berryessa (Napa County), and Putah Creek (Yolo and Solano counties).

Chemicals listed effective February 3, 2006 as known to the State  to cause cancer: "areca nut" and "betel quid without tobacco".

Notice of intent to list chemicals - Additional extension of public comment period: (2,4-dichlorphenoxy) acetic acid; 2,4-D n-butyl ester; 2,4-D isopropyl ester; 2,4-D isooctyl ester; propylene gylcol butyl ether ester (of 2,4-D); 2,4-D butoxyethanol ester; and 2,4-D dimethylamine salt.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) was listed as a TAC because of the numerous health effects linked to exposure including development of asthma, heart disease, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, respiratory infections in children, lung cancer and breast cancer.  ETS has been added to the list of TACs which may cause infants and children to be especially susceptible to illness.  A list of TACs is provided, along with the endpoints of most concern, and primary reasons selected.

In addition to the specific legislative mandates, OEHHA has other programs that are relevant to green chemistry, such as researching safer alternatives to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. A report of the Cal/EPA PBDE Workgroup titled "Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Recommendations to Reduce Exposure in California" is attached.

OEHHA has provided a number of comments and concerns on the risk characterization methodology and conclusions of the TAC documents for Methidathion. These comments and our recommendations, as well as suggested clarifications, additions and corrections, are contained in this report.

This document includes a general discussion of the lifetime and fate of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and describes removal mechanisms for gasoline-related pollutants in the atmosphere. An overview of the reactions of classes of VOCs associated with gasoline usage is provided.

OEHHA announces a second public comment period for 6 draft Public Health Goal technical support documents.  The chemicals are: cis/trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, radium-226 and -228, strontium-90, and tritium.

Release of the final technical document establishing chRDs for six chemicals to be used in school site risk assessments, including cadmium (1.1 x 10^-5 mg/kg-day), chlordane (3.3 x 10^-5 mg/kg-day), heptachlor (3.0 x 10^-5 mg/kg-day), heptachlor epoxide (1.3 x 10^-5 mg/kg-day), methoxychlor (2.0 x 10^-5 mg/kg-day), and Nickel (1.1 x 10^-2 mg/kg-day).