Notice of Intent to List Metam Potassium

A chemical may be listed under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly known as Proposition 65, codified at Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.) when a body considered to be authoritative by the state’s qualified experts has formally identified the chemical as causing cancer or reproductive toxicity. The following entities are identified as authoritative bodies for this purpose: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Toxicology Program.

As the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) within the California Environmental Protection Agency intends to list the chemical Metam potassium (CAS No. 137-41-7) as known to the State to cause cancer, pursuant to this administrative mechanism.

Relevant information related to the possible listing of Metam potassium was requested in a notice published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on December 5, 2008 (Register 2008, No. 49 Z). OEHHA received and responded to public comments.

OEHHA has determined that Metam potassium meets the regulatory criteria for listing based on the findings of the U.S. EPA (U.S. EPA, 1995; 2005; 2007; 2009). OEHHA is therefore issuing this notice of intent to list Metam potassium under Proposition 65. A document providing more detail on the scientific basis for the listing of Metam potassium can be obtained from OEHHA’s Proposition 65 Implementation Office at the address and telephone number indicated below, or from the OEHHA Web site at: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/.

Comments as to whether Metam potassium meets the regulatory criteria for listing, along with any supporting documentation, may be transmitted via email addressed to coshita@oehha.ca.gov or to:

Mailing Address:

Ms. Cynthia Oshita
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

In order to be considered, comments must be received at OEHHA by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2010.

Footnotes and References

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA, 1995). Memorandum: Carcinogenicity Peer Review of Metam Sodium. Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. May 1, 1995.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA, 2005). Memorandum: Metam Sodium: Revised HED Human Health Risk Assessment for Phase 3: DP Barcode: D318051, Metam Sodium PC Code: 039003, MITC PC Code: 068103. Health Effects Division. Office of Pesticide Programs. June 13, 2005.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA, 2007). Memorandum: Metam Sodium: Phase 5 Revised Chapter of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document (RED); DP Barcode: D337533, Metam Sodium PC Code: 039003; Metam Potassium PC Code: 039002, MITC PC Code: 068103. Health Effects Division. Office of Pesticide Programs. April 12, 2007.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Metam Sodium: Second Report of the Cancer Assessment Review Committee (Final). Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. May 14, 2009.