Preview Newsletter
ACC PM 11/26/15
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(ACC Mentioned) US NGO Advocates Stricter Enforcement Following Toxic Toys Study
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
A US NGO has called for “vigorous enforcement” of consumer product safety laws and additional bans on phthalates in toys. -
(ACC Mentioned) ACC Intervention Application Rejected by Echa BoA
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Kelly Franklin
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has sought to intervene in an Echa Board of Appeal (BoA) case, but its application has been dismissed by the board. -
California Withdraws Proposed Prop 65 Labelling Provision
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (Oehha) has withdrawn its proposed Prop 65 provision, which identifies 12 chemicals that would have to be disclosed in the warning text of a product, location or component (CW 14 January 2015). -
Kaiser Permanente Bans 15 Antimicrobials in New Building Materials
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Catherine Cooney
One of the largest healthcare providers in the US has prohibited the use of 15 antimicrobials in fabric, furniture and finishes, in any future building projects. -
Test Guidelines Need to Show Transgenerational Effects, Say Experts
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Philip Lightowlers
There is currently no approved test method that can be used to establish multi or transgenerational epigenetic effects, a leading scientist concluded at a chemical industry workshop on the role of epigenetics in reproductive toxicity, earlier this month. -
DG Environment Assesses Benefits of Chemicals Legislation
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Geraint Roberts
The European Commission’s environment directorate is developing indicators to assess the health and environmental benefits of chemicals legislation. -
(ACC Mentioned) Tiny Energy Efficient House Built Using Innovative Plastic Building Products
Nov 26, 2015 | AZO Build
Plastics Make It Possible® and Zack Giffin, co-host of FYI Network's "Tiny House Nation," teamed up to build an energy efficient tiny house using innovative plastic building products that improve a home's overall energy efficiency. The 170-square-foot tiny house exhibit–"A Tiny House That's Big on Energy Efficiency"–opened to the public at the California Science Center in Los Angeles the week of November 23. -
A Stage and a Spotlight for Action: Why the Paris Climate Talks are Different
Nov 25, 2015 | Environmental Defense Fund
By Nat Keohane
We’ve come a long way since nations failed to reach an international climate agreement in Copenhagen six years ago.
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(ACC Mentioned) US NGO Advocates Stricter Enforcement Following Toxic Toys Study
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
A US NGO has called for “vigorous enforcement” of consumer product safety laws and additional bans on phthalates in toys.
The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) made the demand following the release of its 30th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
Through testing at Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)-accredited labs, the report found that “toys with high levels of toxic substances are still on store shelves”. These include products with high levels of phthalates and chromium.
PIRG is calling on the CPSC to enforce standards set out in the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) more strictly. This includes those for lead content and the banned phthalates DEHP, DBP, and BBP.
The NGO also calls for the CPSC to make permanent the interim bans on three phthalates:DINP;DIDP; andDnOP.
It also wants it to adopt similar bans for the four substances highlighted by the Chronic Health Advisory Panel on Phthalates and Phthalate Alternatives (CHAP):DIBP;DPENP;DHEXP; andDCHP.
However, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) says that “year after year these lists have repeatedly shown to be full of false claims and needlessly frighten parents and caregivers”.
“What parents can rely on is knowing that all toys sold in the US are highly regulated 365 days a year by the federal government and must meet more than 100 safety standard requirements”, said Steve Pasierb, TIA CEO and president, in a statement.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is also cautioning consumers about “overblown claims” made about chemicals in consumer products. Phthalates are specifically chosen as plasticisers because they resist migration out of products, it says.
The ACC also says that consumers should consider dose and exposure when evaluating the chemicals used in products.
But Mike Litt, consumer advocate for US PIRG, says that “the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is an archaic law that has failed to keep up with the growing use of chemicals in consumer products and consequently failed to protect the public” (29 October 2015).
He says that additional testing performed by nonprofit groups will be required to determine if companies are “essentially gaming the system” by switching out one chemical or metal for another.
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(ACC Mentioned) ACC Intervention Application Rejected by Echa BoA
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Kelly Franklin
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has sought to intervene in an Echa Board of Appeal (BoA) case, but its application has been dismissed by the board.
According to the BoA, this was the first intervention application brought by a non-EU trade body.
Submitted in February, the ACC petitioned to intervene in an appeal by Huntsman Holland BV, which seeks annulment of an Echa Decision requesting additional information on the registration of propylene carbonate, using a prenatal developmental toxicity study (CW 22 January 2015).
The ACC told Chemical Watch it sought to intervene, due to the “international nature of the chemical industry and the precedential nature of this case”. In particular, its interest “stemmed from Echa’s unwillingness to rely on available data, information and modelling for assessment purposes, and instead ordering additional animal testing.”
However, the BoA found that the ACC “did not establish the interest in the result of the case”.
The BoA's response to the ACC, which has yet to be published, notes that the trade body says at least two current co-registrants of the registered substance under REACH are members of the ACC, and that “issues at stake, in the present appeal proceedings, are relevant to all [of the ACC's] members that export chemical substances to the European Union, whether established in the European Union or not.”
But it found that while there may be a link between propylene carbonate registrants and ACC members, this “link has not been demonstrated to the extent that would enable the Board of Appeal to conclude that the applicant has the interest to intervene in the present case.”
The BoA added that the review of ACC's interest in the case was consistent with the examination of applications in any other case, notwithstanding its non-EU status.
The ACC said it "was disappointed that the Echa Board of Appeal rejected our petition to intervene in a case that concerns chemical assessment principles that are of primary importance to industry. ACC believes that we met the criteria for intervention in Echa appeal, and we are disappointed that the agency rejected this opportunity to consider the broad international ramifications of the process and Echa's position.”
The trade body added that it advocates for reduced animal testing and has been “actively engaged in ensuring read-across data can be relied upon with confidence in the regulatory assessment context.”
The BoA's intervention decision will be published, once its has reached its final determination on Hunstman's appeal.
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California Withdraws Proposed Prop 65 Labelling Provision
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (Oehha) has withdrawn its proposed Prop 65 provision, which identifies 12 chemicals that would have to be disclosed in the warning text of a product, location or component (CW 14 January 2015).
The controversial “List of 12” provision, proposed in January, would have required manufacturers to disclose on product labels the presence of any of twelve specific substances (CW 23 April 2015).
Instead, it has proposed that all warning labels must identify at least one Prop 65-listed chemical, which the consumer could be exposed to.
The new provision aims to “provide more specific guidance on the content of safe harbour warnings for a variety of exposure situations, and corresponding methods for providing those warnings”.
According to the agency, it will benefit consumers by:making Prop 65 warnings more visible, through the addition of a hazard symbol;specifying the product, location or component that can cause exposure to a potentially hazardous substance;providing additional information about the chemical and advice on how to reduce or void exposure to it, via a link to an Oehha website; andadding warnings in non-English languages in certain situations.
“The health and welfare of California residents will likely benefit from the increased information, regarding exposures to listed chemicals, and the clarity provided to businesses complying with the clear and reasonable warning requirements of the Act,” it said.
The agency will convene a public hearing on 13 January, and comments will be accepted until 22 January.
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Kaiser Permanente Bans 15 Antimicrobials in New Building Materials
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Catherine Cooney
One of the largest healthcare providers in the US has prohibited the use of 15 antimicrobials in fabric, furniture and finishes, in any future building projects.
Kaiser Permanente says it consulted with infection-disease experts before notifying furniture and fabric suppliers it would no longer buy products containing these actives.
The company says it agrees with the 2003 finding of the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) that proper cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces will kill pathogens effectively and prevent the risk of spreading hospital-associated infections. This risk is further reduced if staff and patients wash their hands appropriately.
Kaiser Permanente has 38 hospitals and more than 600 medical offices in the US. Although the ban applies to new construction projects not yet in the purchasing phase, the company says the decision will have significant influence.
It points out that it has thousands of construction projects – from minor remodels to major hospital construction – underway at any time.
“Our thought is that if there’s a non-chemical way to solve a problem or greener products that offer the same performance, we should pursue those as a safer alternative,” said John Kouletsis, Kaiser Permanente’s vice president of facilities planning and design.
Bill Walsh, with Healthy Building Network, a US NGO, said that Kaiser Permanente’s decision will influence the building material choices of other large organisations.
“Kaiser Permanente is looked at as an innovator,” Mr Walsh said. “Other healthcare systems and other building owners are likely to review their own building policies to see if they are using materials with biocides.”
The 15 banned antimicrobials are:benzisothiazolin 3-one (BIT); 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine; didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC); diiodomethyl p-tolyl sulfone; hexamethylenetetramine; kathon 886 (CIT/MIT mixture); methylchlorothiazolinone (CIT, CMIT); methylisothiazolinone (MIT); n-octadecyldimethyl (3-(trimethyoxysilyl) propyl) ammonium chloride; quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C8-16-alkyldimethyl, chlorides; silver (nano); silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate; silver zinc zeolites; triclosan; and zinc pyrithione.
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Test Guidelines Need to Show Transgenerational Effects, Say Experts
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Philip Lightowlers
There is currently no approved test method that can be used to establish multi or transgenerational epigenetic effects, a leading scientist concluded at a chemical industry workshop on the role of epigenetics in reproductive toxicity, earlier this month.
Professor Tim Gant from Public Health England’s Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (CRCE) added that there must also be a clear distinction made between epigenetic effects – which are ubiquitous in all organisms – and epigenetic inheritance.
The workshop was hosted by the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (Ecetoc) and Cefic’s Long Range Research Initiative. It brought together leading geneticists and toxicologists to talk about their current work and consider how research into such potential effects of chemicals could be advanced.
Other priorities professor Gant identified, include: the need to understand the relationship between epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs, DNA methylation and histones; the need to work out the most appropriate experimental models for research – mammals, fish or cells. Many cell lines may be too compromised, in terms of the epigenetic mechanisms above, to be useful, he said; finding out under what circumstances the production of sperm and eggs does not clear epigenetic inheritance; and discovering whether epigenetic endpoints, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation changes or non-coding RNA expression, can be incorporated in existing test guidelines.
Professor Paul Foster from the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) described what is known about the toxicological mechanisms of anti-androgens, such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), the fungicide vinclozolin and the herbicide linuron, on male reproductive development in the rat.
Doses delivered during development may cause infertility, hypospadias and undescended testes.
There was a particular emphasis on vinclozolin because it has been the subject of previous research, reporting transgenerational epigenetic impacts. A 2005 paper, published by Dr Michael Skinner of Washington State University, found impaired male fertility in the first generation (F1) was inherited by the F2, F3 and F4 generations, following prenatal exposure.
Professor Earl Gray of the US EPA explained his own work, which has attempted, but failed, to reproduce these findings. He said male rat offspring, exposed to vinclozolin by oral dosing of the mother during gestation days 15-17, showed demasculinisation and impaired fertility, but this was not transmitted to subsequent F2 and F3 generations.
These experiments, which each involve hundreds of animals and take three years to complete, highlight the benefits of zebrafish as a research tool – speed and high throughput. Professor Peter Aleström from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences described two projects, using zebrafish as a vertebrate model for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of chemically or radioactively induced changes.
Following the meeting, a group of participants remained another day to discuss and develop these findings, but have yet to finalise their conclusions.
Meanwhile, Dr Michael Skinner of Washington State University, author of papers on transgenerational effects of vinclozolin, has just published a review of endocrine-related transgenerational epigenetic developments in Nature Review Epidemiology.
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DG Environment Assesses Benefits of Chemicals Legislation
Nov 26, 2015 | Chemical Watch
By Geraint Roberts
The European Commission’s environment directorate is developing indicators to assess the health and environmental benefits of chemicals legislation.
Proposed indicators and ways to calculate such effects were discussed by representatives of the Commission, Echa, member states, industry and NGOs, at a workshop in Brussels, earlier this month.
The project will feed into the Commission’s second review of REACH, which is due to conclude in 2017. The industry directorate, DG GROW, has already commissioned a number of studies (CW 19 February 2015, 4 June 2015).
A background paper for the workshop, in which consultants DHI and RPA explain a study they are completing for DG Environment, said the starting point “had to be the objectives of the legislation itself" in terms of minimising or reducing exposure to chemical hazards, followed by an understanding of the properties of chemicals that give rise to human health and environmental impacts”.
The study focuses on REACH and the CLP Regulation. Benefits, however, are often delivered through synergies with other legislation [such as the Directives on chemical agents and carcinogens/mutagens, and the Regulations on biocides and pesticides] and because it isn’t possible to separate these impacts out, it was decided that indicators must reflect the legislative framework more broadly.
There are three types of proposed indicators:output indicators relate to the deliverables the programme is expected to produce, such as the number of substances registered; result indicators record its immediate effects, such as the level of certain chemicals in human tissues; and impact indicators measure the final effects of the legislation, such as changes in health.
The study is expected to be completed in the next few months.
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(ACC Mentioned) Tiny Energy Efficient House Built Using Innovative Plastic Building Products
Nov 26, 2015 | AZO Build
Plastics Make It Possible® and Zack Giffin, co-host of FYI Network's "Tiny House Nation," teamed up to build an energy efficient tiny house using innovative plastic building products that improve a home's overall energy efficiency. The 170-square-foot tiny house exhibit–"A Tiny House That's Big on Energy Efficiency"–opened to the public at the California Science Center in Los Angeles the week of November 23.The Department of Energy estimates that houses and buildings in the U.S. consume a whopping 41% of our nation's energy, due in part to older, less efficient building materials. The Plastics Make it Possible tiny house showcases innovative plastic building products that can improve energy efficiency in any size house–tiny or not so tiny.
California Science Center guests can explore the tiny house to learn how readily available plastic building products used on its interior and exterior can reduce energy use, improve durability, and ease maintenance–while saving homeowners money on energy bills.
"This tiny house is a great way to show how modern building materials can improve any home's energy efficiency," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council, which sponsors the Plastics Make it Possible® initiative. "In one small space, visitors can see more than a dozen ways that innovative plastic building products work together to help save energy and money on utility bills."
"Zack is a very talented builder whose conservation ethos and tiny houses can have a big impact on environmental awareness and the need for improved energy efficiency in our homes," Russell continued.
Numerous building products featured throughout the home were donated–from the airtight polyurethane foam insulation to the tough, UV-resistant polycarbonate skylight to the plastic solar shingles that both protect the roof and generate energy: Polyurethane spray foam insulation courtesy of Dow Building Solutions, the Center for the Polyurethane Industries and WhySprayFoam.org. Vinyl siding and trim courtesy of Associated Materials, the Vinyl Institute, the Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc. and National Housing Center. Polyiso foam insulation Thermasheath-3 and RSeal construction tape courtesy of Rmax Operating, LLC, Axiom Communications Group and Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association. Dow POWERHOUSETM Solar Shingles courtesy of Dow Building Solutions and Dow Solar Field Operations. Vinyl windows courtesy of TILTCO, A DIVISION OF WINDOWORLD INDUSTRIES, INC. and American Architectural Manufacturers Association. WASCO polycarbonate skylight courtesy of Wasco Products, Inc. and Covestro. Jeld-Wen Architectural Fiberglass door courtesy of Covestro and Innovation Exhibits, Ohio. Polyethylene cross-linked pipe courtesy of Uponor and the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association. Pipe installed is Acme-Cash. Luxury vinyl flooring courtesy of Metroflor and the Vinyl Institute.
Although tiny, the house is also big on style thanks to interior design firm JOHNSON NATHAN STROHE based in Denver, CO.
For more information on plastics and sustainability, visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com/tiny-house. For more information on exhibit operating hours at the California Science Center, visitwww.californiasciencecenter.org. To view the Tiny House mini-documentary, please visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH1tfAOQZG4
Plastics Make it Possible® highlights the many ways plastics inspire innovations that improve our lives, solve big problems and help us design a safer, more promising future. This program is sponsored by America's Plastics MakersTM through the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council.
About the California Science Center
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, adults and children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs and awe-inspiring films. -
A Stage and a Spotlight for Action: Why the Paris Climate Talks are Different
Nov 25, 2015 | Environmental Defense Fund
By Nat Keohane
We’ve come a long way since nations failed to reach an international climate agreement in Copenhagen six years ago.
No, we haven’t been able to halt the rise in greenhouse gas emissions or to stabilize global temperatures. 2015 will likely be the hottest year on record.
What’s changed – even just in the past year – is the global resolve to address climate change in a meaningful way. Also new are the actors and, importantly, how these nations interact with one another.
This has changed expectations and clarified what the United Nations climate talks that kick off Nov. 30 can and must deliver.A new approach for global climate action
The aim of the Paris conference, known as COP21, is to finalize a new agreement that will take effect in 2020 and provide a framework for climate action for the decades to come.
Gone are the days, however, when negotiators assigned obligations from the “top down” – and in the process left some countries out of the picture entirely. Paris embodies a new approach: Countries are now taking the lead, determining their own levels of commitments.
The goal is to get the broadest possible participation, and it’s working. More than 170 countries, accounting for well over 90 percent of global emissions, have submitted official pledges outlining what they will do to cut carbon pollution.
In effect, the U.N. process provides a “stage” for countries to make commitments – and to step up their efforts.
The flip side of this approach is that the Paris agreement must also establish a high bar for rigor and transparency in how countries report, verify and account for their emissions over time.
This spotlight fosters credibility and trust among countries, and helps build on the momentum that’s been growing worldwide.Decentralization: The new paradigm
The Paris conference also heralds a new era of decentralized climate action – one that is driven by action in countries and states and provinces and cities around the world, rather than by the U.N. alone.
This may be the single most significant shift since Copenhagen.
Two months ago, China announced it will roll out a national emissions trading program in 2017 – set to be the largest in the world, surpassing the European Union’s.
Earlier in the year, the Canadian province of Ontarioannounced it will develop its own cap-and-trade program and link up with the existing California-Quebec carbon market. Such market-based policies give industry a powerful incentive to reduce emissions.
In this new context, cooperation takes the form not only of a U.N. agreement but of a multitude of bilateral agreements, new coalitions, and public-private partnerships with business and civil society – reflecting the increasingly transnational nature of the world economy.
To its great credit, the U.N. has embraced this new reality, even creating a platform to showcase efforts outside the negotiations themselves.No longer just a rich-country problem
Coming into Paris, there is a collective recognition that climate change is everybody’s problem – and that all countries, not just wealthy ones, need to do their fair share.
China has committed to peak its emissions by 2030. Brazil, which has reduced deforestation emissions by more than 75 percent in the last decade, took on an absolute cap on economy-wide emissions below historical levels. Even India has gotten into the mix, pledging a rapid build-up of solar power, among other measures.
Of course, the United States and the E.U., where emissions are already trending down, must do more. They also have a responsibility to help developing countries transition to robust low-carbon growth and adapt to climate change – as well as a strong self-interest in doing so.
The key test for success is whether the framework and the commitments made in Paris set the world on the right path to finally halt and reverse the centuries-long rise in emissions – and eventually put us on a downward trajectory toward climate safety.
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