March 3, 2010

Health Canada Adopts Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada’s Working Definition for Nanomaterials

On March 1, 2010, Health Canada began a public consultation on its adoption of the Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada's Working Definition for Nanomaterials (Interim Policy). Although Health Canada is accepting comments, it states that the Interim Policy "is effective immediately." In preparing the Interim Policy, Health Canada states that it sought the informal feedback of some international stakeholders, industry trade groups, standards associations, and other...
March 1, 2010

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Drinking Water

On February 25, 2010, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing entitled "Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Drinking Water: Risks to Human Health and the Environment." The Subcommittee intended the hearing to examine the science and regulation of endocrine disruptors that may be found in sources of drinking water. Witnesses included: Jim Jones, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S....
February 26, 2010

Lynn L. Bergeson Will Speak at Conference Concerning Environmental Regulation and Commercial Implications

We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson will be speaking at the upcoming conference entitled “Environmental Regulation and Commercial Implications 2010: How the New Administration, Congress and the Courts Have Changed the Rules.” The conference will be held in New York City on May 7, 2010, and in San Francisco on May 18, 2010. The conference will be broadcast live on the Internet on May 7,...
February 24, 2010

EPA Publishes Final Clarification for Chemical Identification Describing Activated Phosphors for TSCA Inventory Purposes

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its final clarification under which certain activated phosphors that are not on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(b) Chemical Substance Inventory (TSCA Inventory) will be considered to be "new" chemical substances under TSCA Section 5, and thus will be subject to applicable notification requirements under TSCA Section 5. According to EPA, the clarification is necessary because EPA's statements in this area have not...
February 23, 2010

OIG Report Concludes EPA Needs Coordinated Plan to Oversee Its TSCA Responsibilities

On February 18, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report entitled EPA Needs a Coordinated Plan to Oversee Its Toxic Substances Control Act Responsibilities, urging EPA to coordinate better risk assessment and oversight activities by establishing a management plan that contains new goals and measures that demonstrate the results of Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and Office of Enforcement and Compliance...
February 22, 2010

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. to Participate in ABA Quick Teleconference on Endocrine Disruptors

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) is pleased to announce it will moderate and participate in an American Bar Association Quick Teleconference entitled "Endocrine Disruptors: The Art, Law, and Science of Responding to Testing Orders," on March 3, 2010, at 12:00 p.m. (EST). Speakers include: James V. Aidala, B&C; David Berol, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); James C. Lamb, Ph.D., Exponent; and Robert G. Perlis, EPA. Register for the teleconference online....
February 22, 2010

EPA Proposes Amendments to TSCA Section 4 Enforceable Consent Agreement Procedures

On February 19, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed important revisions to the procedures for development of enforceable consent agreements (ECA) to generate test data under Section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 75 Fed. Reg. 7428 (Feb. 19, 2010). The proposed rule includes some sweeping changes for when and how negotiations will be initiated, conducted, and concluded, and limits the timeframe within which these activities will take place. Companies that...
February 18, 2010

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is a Proud Sponsor of the 2010 Global Chemical Regulations Conference

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates’ (SOCMA) Global Chemical Regulations Conference and Exhibition being held in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 29-31, 2010. For more than 20 years, the Global Chemical Regulations Conference has provided a unique educational opportunity for chemical industry professionals. Participation in this conference provides attendees with...
February 18, 2010

Nanoparticles Block UV Rays and Stop Mold, but “the Environment Is the Guinea Pig”

In a February 18, 2010, Politics Daily article, Lynn L. Bergeson commented on regulations being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would increase reporting of nanomaterial products. Bergeson stated that she expects EPA to propose that businesses provide data only for new products, and that those on the market would be grandfathered in....
February 8, 2010

EPA SAP Releases Report on Nanosilver and Other Nanometal Pesticide Products

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) has released the minutes of its November 3-5, 2009, meeting regarding evaluation of the hazard and exposure associated with nanosilver and other nanometal pesticide products. Before summarizing the SAP's primary conclusions and recommendations, we note a few general observations. First, the SAP final recommendations address nanosilver almost entirely, and little or no mention is made of "nanometal pesticide products."...