Announcement of the Carcinogen Identification Committee Meeting Scheduled for November 15, 2016 and the Availability of Hazard Identification Materials for Nitrite in Combination With Amines or Amides

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[1] (Proposition 65).  The Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) advises and assists OEHHA in compiling the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer as required by Health and Safety Code section 25249.8.  The CIC 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 cancer.

As announced in May 2015, pursuant to Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations, section 25306(i)[2], OEHHA is referring “nitrite in combination with amines or amides” to the CIC for consideration for listing as causing cancer.  OEHHA is taking this action after determining that the regulatory criteria in section 25306(e) for listing via the authoritative bodies mechanism[3] based on findings by the International Agency for Research on Cancer are not met for the spectrum of chemicals covered by the broad class “nitrite in combination with amines or amides”.

Nitrite in combination with amines or amides will be considered for possible listing by the CIC at its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 15, 2016.  At this meeting the CIC may also consider whether a subset of chemicals of this class have been clearly shown through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause cancer.  The meeting will be held in the Sierra Hearing Room at the CalEPA Headquarters building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA.  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 an upcoming public notice published in advance of the meeting.

OEHHA announces the availability for public review of the hazard identification document entitled: “Evidence on the Carcinogenicity of Nitrite in Combination with Amines or Amides”.  The CIC will consider this document in making any listing decisions at its November 15, 2016 meeting.  Copies of the document are available from OEHHA’s web site.  The document may also be requested from OEHHA’s Proposition 65 Implementation Office by calling (916) 445-6900.

This notice marks the beginning of a 45-day public comment period on OEHHA’s hazard identification document.  OEHHA must receive comments and any supporting documentation by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 2016.  We encourage you to submit comments in electronic form, rather than in paper form.  Comments transmitted by e-mail should be addressed to P65Public.Comments@oehha.ca.gov.  Please include “2016 Nitrite in combination with amines or amides” in the subject line.  Comments submitted in paper form may be mailed, faxed, or delivered in person to the addresses below:

Mailing Address:

Michelle Ramirez
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
P.O. Box 4010, MS-12B
Sacramento, California 95812-4010

Street Address:

1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814

Fax: (916) 323-2265

Please be aware that OEHHA is subject to the California Public Records Act and other laws that require the release of certain information upon request.  If you provide comments, please be aware that your name, address and e-mail may be available to third parties.

OEHHA will organize and index the comments received and forward the information to the CIC members prior to the meeting at which the chemicals will be considered.  Comments received during the public comment period will be posted on the OEHHA web site in advance of the meeting.  Electronic files submitted should not have any form of encryption.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Ramirez at Michelle.Ramirez@OEHHA.ca.gov or (916) 445-6900.

Link to Public Comments

Monday, October 17, 2016

Footnotes and References

[1] Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.

[2] All further references are to sections of Title 27 of the Cal. Code of Regulations., unless otherwise stated.

[3] See Health and Safety Code section 25249.8(b) and Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306.