Availability of the Final and Draft Hazard Identification Documents for Sodium Saccharin

[Document finalized on 03/18/03]

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 Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) of OEHHA's Science Advisory Board advises and assists OEHHA in compiling the list of chemicals known to the State to cause cancer, which is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8. The 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 cancer.

On April 6, 2001, OEHHA requested information in relation to the preparation of a draft hazard identification document on sodium saccharin, a chemical to be considered by the CIC for possible removal from the Proposition 65 list. The 60-day data call-in period ended on June 5, 2001. Information was submitted on sodium saccharin, which was considered in the preparation of its draft hazard identification document.

OEHHA has prepared the draft hazard identification document for sodium saccharin and announces the availability of the draft document entitled: "Evidence on the Carcinogenicity of Sodium Saccharin." Copies of the draft document are available from the Proposition 65 Implementation Office and may be requested by calling (916) 445-6900. The document is also available in the downloads section below. 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

In order to be considered, comments must be postmarked (if sent by mail) or received at OEHHA (if hand-delivered or sent by fax) by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2002.

OEHHA will organize and index the comments received and forward the information to the CIC members prior to the meeting at which the candidate chemical will be considered. The next meeting of the CIC is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2002. The meeting will be held at 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 December 17 meeting.