Request for Relevant Information on a Chemical Being Considered for Listing by the Authoritative Bodies Mechanism: Emissions from Combustion of Coal
The California Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is requesting information as to whether Emissions from Combustion of Coal meets the criteria for listing as known to the State to cause cancer under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. A chemical must be listed under the Proposition 65 regulations when two conditions are met: An authoritative body formally identifies the chemical as causing cancer (Section 25306(d) 3). The evidence considered by the authoritative body meets the sufficiency criteria contained in the regulations (Section 25306(e)). However, the chemical is not listed if scientifically valid data, which were not considered by the authoritative body, clearly establish that the sufficiency of evidence criteria were not met (Section 25306(f)). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is designated as authoritative for the identification of chemicals as causing cancer (Section 25306(m)). After an authoritative body has made a determination about a chemical, OEHHA evaluates whether listing under Proposition 65 is required using the criteria contained in the regulations. OEHHA has determined that Emissions from Combustion of Coal appears to meet the criteria for listing as known to the State to cause cancer under Proposition 65, based on findings of the IARC (2010). Formal identification and sufficiency of evidence for emissions from combustion of coal: In 2010, IARC published Volume 95 in the series IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, entitled Household Use of Solid Fuels and High-temperature Frying (IARC, 2010). This report appears to satisfy the formal identification and sufficiency of evidence criteria in the Proposition 65 regulations for emissions from combustion of coal. IARC concluded, There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of emissions from combustion of coal. OEHHA is relying on IARCs discussion of data and conclusions in the report that emissions from combustion of coal cause cancer. Evidence described in the report includes studies showing that emissions from combustion of coal increase the incidences of malignant lung tumours in two studies in Kumming mice (squamous-cell carcinomas, adenosquamous carcinomas and adenocarcinomas in the study by Liang et al., 1988, and adenocarcinomas in the study by Lin et al., 1995) and one study in Wistar rats (squamous-cell carcinomas in the study by Liang et al., 1988). Thus, IARC (2010) has found that emissions from combustion of coal cause increased incidence of malignant lung tumours in mice and rats. OEHHA is now seeking comments as to whether emissions from combustion of coal meets the criteria set forth in the Proposition 65 regulations for authoritative bodies listings. After reviewing all comments received, OEHHA will determine whether the identified chemical meets the regulatory criteria for administrative listing. If the chemical is determined to meet the listing criteria, OEHHA will proceed with the formal listing process by publishing a Notice of Intent to List. Comments must be submitted to OEHHA by 14 May 2013.