DARTIC Meeting and Availability of Hazard Identification Materials for Chlorpyrifos and n-Hexane

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 65[1].  The Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) of OEHHA’s Science Advisory Board serves as the state’s qualified experts and renders an opinion about whether a chemical has been clearly shown to cause reproductive toxicity[2]. The chemicals so identified by the DARTIC are added to the Proposition 65 list.

Chlorpyrifos and n-hexane will be considered for possible listing by the DARTIC at its next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 29, 2017 beginning at 10 a.m. at the California Environmental Protection Agency, located at 1001 I Street in Sacramento.  Chlorpyrifos will be considered for possible listing based on the developmental toxicity endpoint.  n-Hexane will be considered for possible listing based on the developmental, male and female reproductive toxicity endpointsOEHHA will announce the agenda of the DARTIC meeting in the California Regulatory Notice Register and on its website in advance of the meeting.

Chlorpyrifos hazard identification materials for 2017 DARTIC meeting:

Chlorpyrifos was previously considered by the DARTIC in 2008, but was not added to the Proposition 65 list at that time.  Substantial new, relevant data on developmental toxicity have become available since the chemical was previously considered for listing.  The hazard identification materials to be provided to the DARTIC for the November 2017 meeting will include:

  • The complete 2008 OEHHA hazard identification document (HID), “Evidence on the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Chlorpyrifos”, September 2008.
    • Excerpted sections of that document relevant to developmental toxicity
    • Additional materials provided by OEHHA to the DARTIC that became available at about the same time as the HID
    • Copies of studies relating to developmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos that were cited in the 2008 HID
    • Public comments submitted to the DARTIC in 2008 regarding the possible listing of chlorpyrifos, including any additional materials provided that are relevant to developmental toxicity
  • The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reports, “Chlorpyrifos: Revised Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review (2014)” and “Chlorpyrifos: Revised Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review (2016)”.  These reports, particularly the 2014 report, extensively review recent scientific literature on chlorpyrifos and developmental toxicity.
    • Excerpted sections of these US EPA reports relevant to developmental toxicity
    • Copies of studies relating to the developmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos that were cited in these US EPA reports
  • Copies of additional studies of the developmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos that were not reviewed in the materials provided to the DARTIC in 2008 or in the 2014 and 2016 US EPA reports.

n-Hexane hazard identification materials for 2017 DARTIC meeting:

The hazard identification document to be provided to the DARTIC for the November 2017 meeting will consist of tabulations of study results from studies of male or female reproductive toxicity or developmental toxicity of n-hexane, as well as the 2015 HID prepared on the n-hexane metabolites methyl n-butyl ketone and 2,5-hexanedione[3].  Copies of the tabulated studies of n-hexane will also be provided to the DARTIC as part of the hazard identification materials.

Availability of hazard identification materials and public comment

OEHHA announces the availability for public review of the hazard identification materials for chlorpyrifos and n-hexane identified above.  This notice marks the beginning of a 45-day comment period on these materials.  OEHHA must receive comments and any supporting materials by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 16, 2017.   Parties who identify data relevant to the potential developmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos or on the potential developmental, male and female reproductive toxicity of n-hexane that are not included in the hazard identification materials are encouraged to submit them to OEHHA during the public comment period.  Materials received during the comment period will be sent to the DARTIC for its consideration prior to the November 29, 2017 meeting. 

Copies of the documents (other than those protected by copyright) are available from OEHHA’s web site at www.oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65.  The documents may also be requested from OEHHA’s Proposition 65 Implementation Office by calling (916) 445-6900.  Copyrighted materials may be requested through OEHHA or from the copyright holder. Certain confidential studies are only available through the Department of Pesticide Regulation library.

All timely filed public comments and supporting materials will be provided to DARTIC members in advance of the meeting. The public is also able to make oral comments at the meeting.  Public comments at the meeting will be limited to five minutes per commenter, except for those commenters who make requests by October 30, 2017 and receive approval from the Chair for longer comments.  If you would like to make public comments to the Committee exceeding five minutes, please submit a request with an estimate of the time you will need and the reason you are requesting additional time, to the Proposition 65 mailbox at P65Public.Comments@oehha.ca.gov or call the Proposition 65 Implementation Office at (916) 445‑6900 by 5 p.m. on October 30, 2017.   

Comments on the hazard identification document may be submitted electronically through our website at https://oehha.ca.gov/comments.  Comments submitted in paper form can be mailed, faxed, or delivered in person to the address below.  

Mailing Address:

Michelle Ramirez
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
P.O. Box 4010, MS-12B
Sacramento, California 95812-4010

Street Address:

1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814

Fax: (916) 323-2265

Comments received during the public comment period will be posted on the OEHHA website in advance of the meeting.  Electronic files submitted should not have any form of encryption because OEHHA is subject to the California Public Records Act and other laws that require the release of certain information upon request.  If you provide comments, please be aware that your name, address and e-mail may be available to third parties.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Ramirez at Michelle.Ramirez@OEHHA.ca.gov or (916) 445-6900.

 

[1] The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, codified at Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq., commonly referred to as “Proposition 65”.

[2] Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25302 et seq.