Request for Information on Diuron (CAS No. 330-54-1), Chemical to be Considered by OEHHA's Science Advisory Board's DART IC

Request for Information on Diuron (CAS No. 330-54-1), Chemical to be Considered by OEHHA's Science Advisory Board's Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (DART) Identification Committee

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 Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (DART) Identification Committee of OEHHA's Science Advisory Board advises and assists OEHHA in compiling the list of chemicals known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity, which is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8. The Committee serves as the "State's qualified experts" for rendering an opinion whether a chemical has been clearly shown through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause reproductive toxicity.

Diuron was under consideration for listing under the "authoritative bodies" provision of Proposition 65. Diuron was formally identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as causing developmental or reproductive toxicity, and was the subject of a notice of intent to list under Proposition 65. Subsequent to publication of the Notice of Intent to List, the data relied upon by the U.S. EPA were determined not to meet the scientific criteria for listing via the authoritative bodies mechanism (Title 22, California Code of Regulations, Section 12306(g) (22 CCR 12306(g))). As specified in 22 CCR 12306(i), diuron has been referred to the DART Identification Committee to determine whether, in the Committee's opinion, diuron has been clearly shown through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause reproductive toxicity.

In accordance with OEHHA's process for preparing information on candidate chemicals for review by the State's qualified experts, OEHHA will review the available literature and data on diuron and develop a hazard identification document based on the evidence of its developmental or reproductive toxicity. The DART Identification Committee will consider the hazard identification document before rendering an opinion whether diuron causes reproductive or developmental toxicity.

Interested parties or members of the public wishing to provide information relevant to an assessment of the reproductive and developmental toxicity of diuron should forward such information to the address given below. The publication of this notice marks the start of a 60-day data call-in period. This period ends on Wednesday, January 16, 2002. The information received during this data call-in period will be reviewed and considered by OEHHA as it develops the draft reproductive and developmental toxicity hazard identification document on diuron.

OEHHA welcomes public participation and public input as part of these scientific assessments. If there is sufficient public interest, a public workshop or other public forum will be held to encourage scientific dialogue prior to completion of the draft hazard identification document.

Notification of the availability of the draft hazard identification document and of the time, date, location, and agenda of any workshop and of the meeting of the DART Identification Committee at which diuron will be discussed will be provided in future notices published in the California Regulatory Notice Register and posted on OEHHA's Home Page at www.oehha.ca.gov. The draft hazard identification document will be made available for public comment prior to the committee meeting at which the chemical is considered.

Relevant information on diuron should be sent in triplicate by mail or 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

Relevant information may also be delivered in person or by courier to the above address. In order to be considered, the relevant information must be postmarked (if sent by mail) or received at OEHHA (if hand-delivered or sent by fax) by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2002.