(^Sj) EPAs Office of Children's Health Protection ' . If- 1 ' %wm w Jf ฆ ฆ Ik wv um r A 1 i ilUln S * Children's Environmental Health Newsletter February 2019 The Office of Children's Health Protection at EPA has developed this newsletter to get you engaged in children's environmental health activities occurring throughout the agency. Here, you can access information on opportunities for public comment on EPA rulemakings, risk assessments, upcoming outreach events, grant opportunities, and other federal children's environmental health announcements. Toxic Air Pollution and Children's Health Children are uniquely vulnerable to the potential health effects of environmental hazards found in their everyday environments. Children spend more time being active outdoors and can be at greater risk of being in contact with toxic air pollutants, which can compromise their continuously developing respiratory systems. Recent evidence shows that air pollution may cause asthma and can also trigger asthma attacks. Toxic air pollutants may also cause cancer or have other serious health effects in humans. The estimated six million children in the United States with asthma are especially vulnerable to air pollution. One of the most important things we can do to protect our children's future is make sure they grow up in a healthy environment. Click on the links below to learn more. Click here to learn how you can reduce your child's exposure to air pollution. Click here to learn more about recent EPA research on air pollution and childhood asthma In This Month's Bulletin Announcements & Updates EPA Developed New Consumer Tool for Identifying Point of Use Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead EPA Awards Nearly $2 Million in Funding to Replace and Upgrade School Buses in Fulton County, Georgia ------- Public Comment Opportunities EPA seeks comment on FY 2020-2023 National Compliance Initiatives to Reduce Children's Exposure to Lead Draft Human Health Risk Assessments for Pesticides: Public Comment Period Extended to March 15, 2019 Pesticides Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions: Public Comment Period Extended to March 21, 2019 Petition Seeking Revised Testing Requirements of Pesticides Prior to Registration; Request for Comment by March 21, 2019 Petition Seeking Rulemaking or a Formal Agency Interpretation for Planted Seeds Treated with Systemic Insecticides; Request for Comment by March 26, 2019 Upcoming EPA Webinars, Workshops & Events Meeting Postponed: Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals Peer Review on the TSCA Draft Risk Evaluation for Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) . Workshop: Join U.S. EPA R8 in North Dakota for FREE ECO-HEALTHY CHILD CARE Workshop on April 6, 2019 Federal Partners' Children's Environmental Health Announcements Event by NIEHS: Paternal Preconception Exposure and Children's Health: A Father's Legacy in Morrisville, North Carolina on February 26, 2019 Announcements & Updates EPA Developed New Consumer Tool for Identifying Point of Use Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead Recent water safety concerns highlight the role of certified filters in reducing lead in drinking water for children. EPA developed a communication tool to assist consumers in identifying point of use filters certified to reduce lead in drinking water. Point of use, or POU drinking water filters are used to remove impurities from water at the point that it is actually being used. Although there are others, these POU filters are those used in filtration systems that are attached directly to water faucets, inserted into refrigerators for water dispensers and ice makers, or inserted into water pitchers and bottles. There is no mandatory federal requirement for the use of POU drinking water filters or for testing or third-party certification under the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, consumers can increase their level of confidence by purchasing filters that have been tested by an accredited third- party certification body or bodies for lead reduction and particulate reduction (Class I) capabilities against both NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. This tool provides the certification bodies' approved marks and the text that indicates a filter has been certified for lead reduction capabilities. Click here to obtain a copy. EPA Awards Nearly $2 Million in Funding to Replace and Upgrade School Buses in Fulton County, Georgia ------- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program grant totaling $1,962,097 to the Fulton County School System in Georgia to curb harmful pollution from school buses. "The Fulton County School system has shown their commitment to reducing the impacts of diesel emissions with the early retirement of older dirtier school buses," said EPA Acting Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker. "Combined with the clean school bus idle reduction policy, the school system has demonstrated a strong commitment to children's health and the environment." This grant will allow Fulton County to fund the early retirement of 85 diesel-powered school buses and replace them with new propane-powered buses. The buses to be replaced are all model year 2001 to 2005 diesel school buses. This investment will reduce about 22.5 tons of nitrogen oxides and will increase the number of propane buses in the school fleet to 272. The replacement and retrofit of diesel vehicles will reduce harmful diesel emissions, providing important public health and air quality benefits. Exposure to diesel exhaust can lead to serious health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses and can worsen existing heart and lung disease, especially in children and the elderly. Click here for more information about EPA's National Clean Diesel campaign and DERA program Public Comment Opportunities EPA seeks comment on FY 2020-2023 National Compliance Initiatives to Reduce Children's Exposure to Lead, Deadline to comment 30 days from publication in Federal Register The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting public comment and recommendations on the National Compliance Initiatives (NCIs) to be undertaken in fiscal years 2020-2023. The EPA focuses enforcement and compliance resources on the most serious environmental violations by developing and implementing national program priorities, previously called National Enforcement Initiatives. A potential lead NCI would support various agency efforts to tackle lead contamination in all environmental media and could present an opportunity to use consumer education to increase compliance. This NCI would support the Agency's Strategic Plan focus on vulnerable populations as well as the interagency Federal Lead Action Plan. (See Page 11 of 12 of pre-publication notice below for information relating to children's exposure to lead). EPA will solicit public comment on its FY 2020-2023 National Compliance Initiatives through a Federal Register notice. EPA is providing a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice to provide the public an opportunity to review and prepare comments on the NCIs currently underway as well as potential modifications under consideration. Comments should be submitted through the Federal Register. EPA will accept comments for thirty days following publication in the Federal Register. Click here for more information on NCIs currently underway, as well as potential modifications to these NCIs under ------- consideration. Click here to access the full pre-publication version of the Federal Register Notice. [Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OECA-2018-0843] Draft Human Health Risk Assessments for Pesticides: Public Comment Period Extended to March 15, 2019 Registration Review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. As part of the registration review process, the Agency has completed comprehensive draft human health risk assessments for several pesticides. Please note that only children's health concerns are highlighted here. Amitraz What is it? Amitraz is an insecticide/acaricide currently registered for use in pet collars for control of ticks on dogs and as an impregnated strip for control of mites in beehives. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? The assessment found there are potential risks of concern for children 1 to < 2 years old from exposures to pet collars containing amitraz. How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: EPA will provide information on the reduction of these risks to children in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019. Click here to see the Amitraz Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-1015] Bromoxvnil and Bromoxvnil esters What is it? Bromoxynil and its esters are herbicides used to control a variety of broadleaf weeds. Bromoxynil is registered for use on corn, sorghum, transgenic cotton, seedling alfalfa, flax, garlic, small grains (wheat, barley, oats, and rye), onions, grasses grown for seed, and mint; and sod production, conservation reserve program (CRP) areas, non- residential turfgrass, -and noncropland/industrial sites. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? For aerial applications, dermal exposure resulting from spray drift results in risk estimates of concern for children 1 to < 2 years old How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: There is no risk of concern when using 25-foot buffers. Additional information will be provided in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019. Click here to see the Bromoxynil Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. ------- Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0896] Cap tan What is it? Captan is a fungicide registered use on agricultural field crops, orchards and vineyards, and for use in greenhouses; soil treatment, root dips, seed treatments for numerous crops; and as a postharvest fruit dip. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? The assessment found potential risks of concern for children 6 < 11 years for dermal exposure to ornamental gardens and garden fruit following applications of captan. How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: EPA will provide information on the reduction of these risks to children in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019. Click here to see the Captan Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0074] Formetanate HCI What is it? is an N-methyl- carbamate (NMC) miticide/insecticide used on citrus orchard crops and alfalfa grown for seed. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? The acute drinking water assessment resulted in potential risks of concern from residues in groundwater for the general US population and all population subgroups; the most highly-exposed population subgroup is infants less than 1 year old. The non-occupational spray drift assessment determined there are potential risks of concern for children 1 to < 2 years old at the edge of a treated field for certain application parameters, with buffers of >300 feet required. How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: EPA will provide information on the reduction of these risks to children in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019. Click here to see the Formetanate HCI Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0939] Imazaauin What is it? Imazaquin and imazaquin salt are herbicides used on soybeans and warm season turf and ornamental grasses. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? The assessment shows that using a screening level, conservative approach results in potential risks of concern for children 1 to <2 years old from use on residential lawns. Using a 2-day average results in no risks of concern. How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: EPA will provide information on the reduction of these risks to children in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019 ------- Click here to see the Imazaquin Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0224] MCPA What is it? MCPA is an herbicide used on residential lawns, ornamental turf and trees, golf courses, parks, roadsides, rights of way; and for agricultural use on alfalfa, barley, clover, flax, oats, pasture and rangeland grass, peas, rye, triticale, wheat, and grass grown for seed. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? The assessment shows that using a screening level, conservative approach results in potential risks of concern for children 1 to <2 years old from use on residential lawns. Using a 6-day average results in no residential post-application risks of concern but would result in aggregate risks of concern. Using an 8- day average results in no residential post-application or aggregate risks of concern. Averaging Total Toxic Residue (TTR) values over this duration of exposure is scientifically defensible since the risk assessment endpoint and point of departure for these scenarios is taken from a reproduction study which represents dosing of animals over many weeks. Therefore, averaging residential exposure over this time frame (by using average TTR values) is appropriate. Refinement for the child exposure from high contact lawn activities for the granular formulation was not possible as only default TTR data were available for granules. The episodic granule ingestion scenario for children is of concern (Margin of Exposure (MOE) is less than the Level of Concern (LOC) of 1000) with an MOE of 860.How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: EPA will provide information on the reduction of these risks to children in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019. Click here to see the MCPA Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0180] O-Benzvl-P-Chlorophenol (OBPCP) and Salts What is it? OBPCP is registered as a hard surface cleaner and disinfectant, and as a biocide for industrial process water and cooling systems. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? Assessment of chronic dietary risk from commercial uses showed 99% of the cPAD (Population Adjusted Dose) occupied, with children 1-2 years again being the highest exposed subpopulation, an assessment of chronic dietary risk from residential uses showed 17% of the cPAD occupied. In order to obtain the dietary portion of the aggregate risk assessment, the Agency must determine if there is co-occurrence of dietary sources of chemicals. The Agency has determined that the assumption of concurrent exposure from all product use sites would be overly conservative, and therefore there is no dietary risk of concern to children. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019 Click here to see the OBPCP Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0423] para-Dichlorobenzene (PDCB) ------- What is it? para-Dichlorobenzene is a fumigant insecticide registered to control moths, molds, and mildew in residential storage areas (e.g., closets and drawers), and for the control of lice and mites in and around birdcages. PDCB is also registered for use in stored empty beehives to control wax moths. What potential risk to children has EPA identified? The assessment showed that long- term residential post-application inhalation exposures, and episodic ingestion of mothballs, result in potential risks of concern for children 1 to < 2 years old. How EPA proposes to reduce these risks to children: EPA will provide information on the reduction of these risks to children in the Preliminary Interim Decision (PID), which will be developed after public comment on this risk assessment. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 15,2019. Click here to see the para-Dichlorobenzene Draft Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0117] Pesticides Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions: Public Comment Extended to March 21, 2019 The proposed interim registration review and supporting documents describe the risk findings and consideration of possible risk mitigation measures for a pesticide undergoing registration review. Following a 60-day public comment period, the Agency will issue interim or final registration review decisions. Please note that only children's health concerns are highlighted here. There may be other human health or ecological concerns described in the relevant documents. Click here for additional proposed interim decisions. Abamectin What is it? Abamectin is a natural fermentation product of soil bacterium and is used as an insecticide/miticide for use on various agricultural crops; ornamentals; trees and shrubs; turf; Christmas trees; seed treatments; and insect baits. What potential risks to children has the EPA identified? The draft risk assessment identified risks estimates of concern for children 1<2 years old from proposed uses for spot and crack and crevice treatment against household pests. These uses have not been approved, and there is no longer estimated risk to children's health. Integral to the dose- response assessment in mammals for this class of compounds is the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in target tissues. P-gp acts as a protective barrier to keep chemicals out of the body, including the fetus. Based on the difference in the ontogeny of P-gp in neonatal rats and human newborns, the Agency does not believe that the early post-natal findings in the rat are relevant to human newborns or young children, at this time. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 21, 2019. Click here to see the Abamectin Proposed Interim Decision for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0360] Butralin What is it: Butralin is an herbicide used as a plant growth regulator on tobacco. ------- What potential risks to children has the EPA identified? There are no dietary or spray drift risks of concern for children. The Agency has considered the exposure to humans from residues in tobacco smoke by assessing the short-term inhalation exposure and risks for adults only. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 21, 2019. Click here to seethe Butralin Proposed Interim Decision for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0720] Methiocarb What is it? Methiocarb is an N-methyl carbamate (NMC) insecticide currently registered for use on ornamentals and as an aversive conditioning egg treatment. What potential risks to children has the EPA identified? A spray drift assessment resulted in risk estimates of concern for children 1 < 2 years of age. How EPA proposed to reduce these potential risks to children: EPA is proposing to prohibit aerial, airblast, chemigation and groundboom applications of methiocarb for all use sites. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 21, 2019. Click here to see the Methiocarb Proposed Interim Decision for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0278] Orvzalin What is it? Oryzalin is a broad-spectrum dinitroaniline herbicide with products registered for use for preemergent weed control on agricultural crops, primarily fruit and nut trees and grapes; berries; ornamentals; and turf. Products containing oryzalin are also registered for use in rights-of-way and for residential use on lawns, turf, and ornamentals. What potential risks to children has the EPA identified? The draft human health risk assessment has been amended to further characterize potential risks to children 1 to <2 years old playing on turf treated with oryzalin (hand-to mouth incidental oral exposure). The risk assessment showed that using a screening level, conservative approach results in potential risks of concern for children 1 to <2 years old from use on residential lawns. Using a 2-day average results in no risks of concern for children. EPA next steps: EPA will consider public comments submitted until March 21, 2019. Click here to see the Oryzalin Proposed Interim Decision for Registration Review. Click here to see the Addendum to Oryzalin Human Health Draft Risk Assessment for Registration Review. Click here to provide comments. Click here for additional documents and more information. [Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0940] Petition Seeking Revised Testing Requirements of Pesticides Prior to Registration; Request for Comment by March 21, 2019 EPA is seeking public comment on a petition from the Center for Food Safety (CFS) requesting that the Agency revise testing requirements for pesticides prior to registration. The petitioner, CFS, ------- requests that the Agency require testing for whole pesticide formulations to account for the toxicological effects of inert and adjuvant ingredients and the testing of tank mixes to assess the interaction between pesticide ingredients. CSF believes this change is needed to meet the applicable safety standards of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The applicable safety standard that must be met is "protection against unreasonable adverse effects on the environment," defined as including effects on public health such as to children. Click here to read the petition. Click here to read the Federal Register Notice. Click here to read more about FIFRA. Click here to make comments. Petition Seeking Rulemaking or a Formal Agency Interpretation for Planted Seeds Treated with Systemic Insecticides; Request for Comment by March 26, 2019 EPA is seeking public comment on a petition from the Center for Food Safety (CSF) requesting that the Agency either initiate a rulemaking or issue a formal Agency interpretation for planted seeds treated with systemic insecticides. CSF believes that the Agency has improperly applied the treated article exemption in exempting these products from registration and labeling requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The petitioners contend that there are unassessed releases into the environment from treated seeds that may impact the environment and public health, including children. Click here to read the petition. Click here to read the Federal Register Notice. Click here to read the Treated Article Exemption. Click here to make comments. Upcoming EPA Webinars. Workshops & Events Meeting Postponed: Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals Peer Review on the TSCA Draft Risk Evaluation for Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) Due to the government shutdown, the TSCA SACC's January 29 through February 1 Peer Review of the Draft Risk Evaluation for Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) was postponed and will be rescheduled. The new meeting dates and location will be announced in the Federal Register and on the TSCA SACC website. On June 22, 2016, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which improved the Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA), was signed into law. The legislation provides significant new responsibilities and authorities to EPA to advance chemical safety including strengthened risk-based chemical assessments for pregnant women, infants, and children. In December 2016, EPA announced the first ten existing chemicals to undergo risk evaluations under amended TSCA. On November 15, 2018, EPA announced the release of the risk evaluation draft for ------- Pigment Violet 29 (PV29), the first of the ten chemicals undergoing risk evaluation, for public comment. For more information on PV29: Read the draft risk evaluation for pigment violet 29 under amended TSCA Supplemental information related to the draft risk evaluation can be found in the Supporting Documents folder of docket EPA-HQ-QPPT-2018-0604 on www.requlations.gov Workshop: Join U.S. EPA R8 in North Dakota for FREE ECO-HEALTHY CHILD CARE Workshop 2639 East Main Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501 Sat, April 6, 2019 8:30 AM-4:00 PM CDT Eco-Healthy Child Careฎ: Preventing children's exposures to environmental health hazards in early care interactive 6-hour course. The objective for childcare providers is to learn realistic and effective steps to prevent children's exposures to lead, pesticides, mold, unsafe plastics, indoor air quality, radon, toxic art supplies and other environmental health hazards. This workshop is provided in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Health and USEPA Region 8. Target Audience: Child Care Providers, Directors, Owners, Licensors, Nurse Health Consultants, CCR&R, Administrative staff and Child Care Trainers. Click here to register for the event. Federal Partners' Children's Environmental Health Announcements Event by NIEHS: Paternal Preconception Exposure and Children's Health: A Father's Legacy The Keystone Science Lecture Seminar Series brought to you by the Division of Extramural Research and Training Tuesday, February 26, 2019 9:30-10:30 a.m. Keystone Building, Room 1003AB 530 Davis Drive, Morrisville, N.C. Click here for more information ------- |