Availability of Hazard Identification Document for Xylene

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announces the availability for public review of the hazard identification document entitled: “Evidence on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Xylene.”  This notice marks the beginning of a 60-day public comment period on this document.  The public comment period will close on November 27, 2012.  Copies of the document are available from OEHHA’s web siteThe document may also be requested from OEHHA’s Proposition 65 Implementation Office by calling (916) 445-6900.

OEHHA, a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency, is the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 651.  The Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) advises and assists OEHHA in compiling the list of chemicals known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity, as required by Proposition 65.  The DARTIC 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.  It is in this capacity that the DARTIC will consider xylene at a future meeting.  The xylene hazard identification document provides information for the consideration of listing xylene by the DARTIC.  The date and venue of the meeting at which xylene will be considered will be announced in a subsequent public notice.  OEHHA will send comments received on the xylene hazard identification document to DARTIC members prior to the meeting.

OEHHA provided an opportunity for input on the document as it was being developed.  A data call-in period for xylene opened on January 20, 2012, and closed on March 20, 2012.  No public comments were received.2 In preparing the hazard identification document, OEHHA considered all information that was relevant to the evidence of reproductive toxicity for xylene.

OEHHA must receive comments and any supporting documentation on the xylene document by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, 2012.  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 “Xylene” in the subject line.  Comments submitted in paper form may be mailed, faxed, or delivered in person to the addresses below:

Mailing Address:     
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
P.O. Box 4010, MS-19B
Sacramento, California 95812-4010
Fax:(916) 323-8803
Street Address:1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814

Link to Public Comments

The comment period closed on November 27, 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Footnotes and References

1The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, codified at Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.

2CORRECTION to published notice:  A public comment was received during the data call-in period for xylene and was reviewed and considered by staff during the preparation of the hazard identification document for xylene.