Comment Period on Notice of Intent To List Methanol as Known to Cause Reproductive Toxicity via the “Authoritative Bodies” Mechanism
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, methanol (CAS No. 67-56-1) as known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity, pursuant to this administrative mechanism as provided in Health and Safety Code section 25249.8(b) and Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306 (formally Title 22, Cal. Code of Regs., section 12306).
Relevant information related to the possible listing of methanol was requested in a notice published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on June 22, 2007 (Register 2007, No. 25‑Z). OEHHA received and responded to public comments.
OEHHA has determined that methanol meets the criteria for listing under Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306, based on the findings of the National Toxicology Program’s Center for Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (NTP-CERHR, 2003). OEHHA is therefore issuing this notice of intent to list this chemical under Proposition 65. A document providing more detail on the basis for the listing of methanol can be obtained from OEHHA’s Proposition 65 Implementation Office at the address and telephone number indicated below, or from the OEHHA Web site below.
Comments as to whether methanol meets the criteria for listing provided in Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., Section 25306, along with any supporting documentation, should be sent to:
Proposition 65
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) 323-8803
Telephone: (916) 445-6900
E-Mail: P65Public.Comments@oehha.ca.gov
Comments may also be delivered in person or by courier to the above address. In order to be considered, comments must be received at OEHHA by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2009.