Notice of Intent to List Chemical: Methyleugenol

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) provides two mechanisms for administratively listing chemicals which are known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity (Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8(b)). One mechanism by which a chemical is listed is if a body considered to be authoritative by the state's qualified experts has formally identified it as causing cancer or reproductive toxicity. For carcinogenicity, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have been identified as authoritative bodies for purposes of the Act. For reproductive toxicity, U.S. EPA, IARC (for transplacental carcinogenicity only), FDA, and NIOSH have been identified as authoritative bodies for purposes of the Act. The criteria for listing chemicals through the authoritative bodies mechanism are set forth in Title 22, California Code of Regulations (22 CCR), Section 12306.

As the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency intends to list the methyleugenol as known to the State to cause cancer pursuant to the authoritative bodies mechanism provided in Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8(b).

In a public notice published in the California Regulatory Notice Register (CRNR) on June 2, 2000 (Register 00, 22-Z), OEHHA announced methyleugenol was under consideration for administrative listing based on a review of information indicating that it may meet the criteria set forth in 22 CCR, Section 12306. OEHHA solicited comments and information relevant to the evaluation of this chemical in the context of the regulatory criteria for administrative listing under Proposition 65. A public forum was held on July 11, 2000 to provide an opportunity for oral comments. Oral and written comments were received. OEHHA has completed its review of the comments and has determined that methyleugenol meets the criteria for authoritative bodies listing. A document providing the basis for the listing of this chemical can be obtained from OEHHA's Proposition 65 Implementation Office at the address and telephone number indicated below, or from the OEHHA Home Page at www.oehha.ca.gov.

Under the authoritative bodies mechanism, objections to the listing shall be made on the basis that there is no substantial evidence that the criteria of sufficiency of evidence of carcinogenicity identified in 22 CCR, Section 12306 have been satisfied. Any one wishing to object to the listing of methyleugenol should submit written comments in triplicate, along with supporting documentation, by mail or by fax to:

Ms. Cynthia Oshita  
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Street Address: 1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4010
Sacramento, California 95812-4010
Fax No.: (916) 323-2265
Telephone: (916) 445-6900

Comments may also be hand-delivered to Ms. Oshita at the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment at the same address.

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 Monday, April 30, 2001.

Chemical determined by OEHHA to meet the criteria set forth in 22 CCR, Section 12306 for listing as causing cancer under the authoritative bodies mechanism:

Chemical

CAS No.

Reference

Methyleugenol

93-15-2

NTP (2000a)