Emerging Contaminants. Identification. Concerns. Actions

Transcription

1 Emerging Contaminants Identification Concerns Actions Roland Hemmett Science Advisor USEPA Region 2 Presented at: NJ Water Monitoring Council Meeting, January 23, 2008

2 What is an Emerging Chemical The term emerging chemical refers to a chemical currently in the public eye, and that is brought to the attention of EPA Headquarters and Regions by external sources. Chemicals may be identified based on information that makes them likely to be of concern, such as widespread exposure, persistence, bioaccumulation, or toxicity data.

3 What is an Emerging Chemical Emerging chemicals include not only those in active production or use in the domestic market, but also those that are a byproduct of production and manufacturing, a combustion byproduct, or a metabolite (i.e., a breakdown product) of a parent compound, as well as classes or categories of chemicals.

4 Quick Review of emerging contaminants Issues The characteristics of many emerging contaminants are (low levels, multiple sources, long-term issue but probably not an emergency issue) There is a concern about possible health and other effects, both to wildlife and humans No standardized biological test data available EPA does not have approved chemistry methods to detect many of these chemicals

5 Emerging Contaminants Issues cont. Enter aquatic environment from point and non-point sources The environment fate and transport information is lacking Policies to address these contaminants are complicated by differing mandates of agencies (EPA, FDA, others) New tools are needed to help address this issue. EPA is moving in that direction by using genomic methods.

6 American Chemical Society s CAS Registry As of 4/18/ ,322,549 organic and inorganic substances have been registered 13,780,301 are commercially available 245,316 are inventoried or regulated substances Source:

7 American Chemical Society s CAS Registry In the past two years more then 5 million new chemicals have been registered Only 5,316 additional substances have been added to inventoried/regulated lists Equivalent to 0.1% of new or commercially available chemicals

8 From ID to Regulation Detection -- Curiosity / Fear? Monitoring -- Where / how much Toxicity/Exposure -- Is it a problem? Can t t regulate, what to do? Negotiate with sources Voluntary reductions Possible assistance Much later.. Regulation based on sound scientific information

9 Emerging Substances of Concern Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Global Organic Contaminants Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Nanoparticles

10 Global Organic Contaminants Flame Retardants and their impurities polybromonated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) polybromonated biphenyls (PBBs) polybromonated dibenzo-p-dioxins dioxins (PBDDs) polybromonated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) Perfluoronated Compounds Perfluororoctane sulfonates (PFOS) Perfluoroctanoic Acid (PFOA)

11 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Basically all prescription and over-the the- counter drugs Diagnostic agents Dietary Supplements Fragrances, soaps, conditioners, sunscreens, cosmetics

12 PPCPs Most diverse category of Emerging Substances of Concern; Many are water soluble; Most common route into the environment is through wastewater (municipal and septic drainage) and land application of sewage sludge and manure, and landfill leachate To state the obvious, the most common route to humans is through ingestion and topically application (although the dose is often unintended drinking water, breast milk) WWTP treatment may or may not be effective at removing the compounds from the effluent depending upon the treatment and chemical

13 EPA PPCP Fish Pilot Study Obtaining data on emerging contaminants is a priority for EPA. Recent research indicates that PPCPs occur widely in surface water, sediment, and municipal effluent. Limited data are available on accumulation of PPCPs in fish. In 2006, OST initiated the EPA Pilot Study of PPCPs in Fish Tissue to investigate PPCP occurrence in fish tissue. Several collaborators are contributing to this project, including: Baylor University Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems EPA Great Lakes National Program Office Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago New Mexico Environment Department 1

14 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Natural and synthetic hormones Surfactants Pesticides

15 Nanoparticles Fullerenes (a.k.a. buckyballs) Nanotubes Quantum dots Nanopowders (metal oxides) Natural particles (e.g., soot)

16 Nanoparticles Natural and manmade structures in the 1 to 100 nm size range Used in nanotherapeutic pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, cosmetics, energy storage products, fabrics, lubricants, even golf balls Potential use in contaminated site clean up Environmental impacts largely unknown

17 What do we do when an Emerging Chemical is identified The Agency has an Emerging Chemical Workgroup within the Office of Pollution Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances The Workgroup is cross Agency with other program offices and regions involved

18 Region or Program Office nominate chemical for consideration Workgroup members fill out Emerging Chemical Profile (ECP) form. The nominating Office compiles and brings single ECP to full workgroup No further action by group. Office/Region may continue to track No Yes Nominate as emerging chemical? Maybe Gather more data bring back to workgroup No Gather existing data to support nomination. Develop profile Need more information M2P2 Review and decision on next steps Yes, emerging chemical Create chemical workgroup or chemical lead to develop next steps Alternatives analyis/pollution prevention Regulatory action Data gathering or research

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20 What Chemicals is the EPA EC workgroup looking at Emerging alternatives to chlorinated solvents -(n-propyl bromide1,2 transdichloroethylene (DCE) and Parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF)) Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) Bisphenol-A Decabromodiphenylether (DecaBDE) Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Parabens Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - PFOS, pentabde, chlordecone, lindane, and hexabromobiphenyl. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Phthalates Thallium

21 What s s Next Remarkable breakthroughs have occurred in the past ten years in molecular biology, genetics, computational sciences and information technologies ORD has redirected resources (e.g., the NCCT, TOX-CAST) as a down payment in developing, modifying, validating and translating this science to ensure direct applicability in informing Agency decisions

22 Toxicity Testing Increased value of information, rapidity, efficiency & reduced cost for chemical screening and prioritization EDCs HPV, CCL, fuel alternatives, nanotech products, TRI listings, site-specific clean up decisions Risk Assessment Data that ensure greater accuracy, credibility and acceptance of Agency s risk assessment/ management decisions Replacing current practices & attendant uncertainties: Modes of action Life stage susceptibility Mixtures. Species extrapolation Low dose models. Translational research linking research products to regulatory needs, decisions and applications Science-Informed Policy Decisions

23 Many Ongoing Activities Directly Relate to the NRC Vision and Will Produce Valuable Outputs in the Short Term but we need strategic planning to ensure regulatory relevance