Availability of the Draft Hazard Identification Documents for Chloroform and Progesterone

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is the lead agency for the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). The Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (DART) Identification Committee of OEHHA’s Science Advisory Board advises and assists OEHHA in compiling the list of chemicals known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity as required by Health and Safety Code section 25249.8. The DART Identification Committee serves as the State’s qualified experts for determining whether a chemical has been clearly shown through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause reproductive toxicity.

On October 3, 2003, OEHHA requested information in relation to the preparation of a draft hazard identification document on chloroform, a chemical to be considered by the DART Identification Committee for possible addition to the Proposition 65 list. The data call-in period ended on December 2, 2003. Comments received during the data call-in period were considered during the preparation of the draft hazard identification document on chloroform.

OEHHA requested information in relation to the preparation of a draft hazard identification document on progesterone on two separate occasions, December 26, 1997 and April 9, 2004. The first data call-in period ended on February 24, 1998 and the second one ended on June 8, 2004. No information or data was received during either data call-in period for progesterone.

OEHHA has prepared the draft hazard identification documents for chloroform and progesterone and announces the availability of the draft documents entitled: “Evidence on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Chloroform,” and “Evidence on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Progesterone.” Copies of the draft documents are available from the Proposition 65 Implementation Office and may be requested by calling (916) 445-6900. The documents are also available through the Internet. This notice marks the beginning of a 60-day public comment period. Comments should be submitted in triplicate and directed to:

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Proposition 65 Implementation
P.O. Box 4010
1001 I Street, 19th floor
Sacramento, California 95812-4010
FAX (916) 323-8803

Comments may also be delivered in person or by courier to the above address. It is requested, but not required, that written comments and supporting documentation be transmitted via email addressed to: P65Public.Comments@oehha.ca.gov. In order to be considered, comments must be postmarked (if sent by mail) or received at OEHHA (if hand-delivered, sent by FAX, or transmitted electronically) by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2004.

OEHHA will organize and index the comments received and forward the information to the DART Identification Committee members prior to the meeting at which the candidate chemicals will be considered. The next meeting of the DART Identification Committee is scheduled for Thursday, November 4, 2004. The meeting will be held the California Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters Building, Coastal Hearing Room, at 1001 I Street, Sacramento, California. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will last until all business is conducted or until 5:00 p.m. The agenda for the meeting will be provided in a future public notice published in advance of the November 4 meeting.