This news update on Reproductive Toxicity for Methyl Chloride is brought to you by OEHHA.
Effective March 7, 2014, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has changed the basis for identifying male reproductive toxicity as an endpoint of reproductive toxicity for methyl chloride under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 19861.
Background: Methyl chloride was originally added to the Proposition 65 list as causing reproductive toxicity (developmental endpoint) onMarch 10, 2000, pursuant to the “authoritative bodies” listing mechanism2. This action was based on a formal identification of the chemical’s reproductive toxicity by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)3.
On August 7, 2009, the endpoint of male reproductive toxicity was also identified for methyl chloride pursuant to the “Labor Code” mechanism based on Labor Code Section 6382(d), which is incorporated by reference in Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8(a). Methyl chloride was identified as causing male reproductive toxicity in the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). The TLVs were previously incorporated by reference into the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations [C.F.R.] section 1900.1200). The Hazard Communication Standard is, in turn incorporated by reference into Labor Code Section 6382(d). In March 2012, OSHA extensively amended the regulations contained in the Hazard Communication Standard. Specifically, Title 29, C.F.R. 1910.1200 (d)(3)(ii), which referred to the ACGIH TLV list, was deleted from the 2012 version of the regulation. OEHHA has determined that these changes have eliminated the ACGIH TLVs as a definitive source for identifying chemicals that are known to cause reproductive toxicity.
However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has concluded that methyl chloride causes male reproductive toxicity4. U.S. EPA is an authoritative body for the purpose of identifying chemicals as causing reproductive toxicity under Proposition 655.
For more information on Reproductive Toxicity for Methyl Chloride please visit the OEHHA link above. Please contact Nexreg for Prop 65 Compliance services.