EPA Seeks Peer Reviewers for the Industrial Chemical 1,3-Butadiene
Last week, EPA issued a call for nominations of peer reviewers for the draft risk evaluation of 1,3-butadiene, an industrial chemical that the agency says is used to manufacture plastic and synthetic rubber products, including tires. EPA describes 1,3-butadiene as a volatile, colorless gas and classifies it as a human carcinogen, noting in the Federal Register that “epidemiology studies have demonstrated an association between 1,3-butadiene exposure and increased incidence of leukemia in workers.” One of the issues the agency has highlighted as an area of focus for the peer review has to do with its approach to exposure sampling data that are below the limit of detection (LOD).
“The majority of occupational exposure sampling data points… are not quantifiable values but are identified as being below” the LOD, EPA explains. “For datasets including exposure data that were reported as below the LOD, EPA is estimating exposure concentrations, following EPA's Guidelines for Statistical Analysis of Occupational Exposure Data.”
EPA seeks individuals with expertise in areas such as risk assessment and exposure assessment, particularly those with knowledge in occupational inhalation monitoring and air exposure modeling. Scientists with expertise related to human health assessment would also fit this role. Those who are selected will serve as ad-hoc reviewers and assist EPA’s Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals during the peer review of the draft risk evaluation for 1,3-butadiene. According to the agency, the peer review will inform its final risk evaluation and risk management decisions for the chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act. 1,3-Butadiene was designated as a “high-priority” substance by the agency in December 2019, and the process under TSCA is intended to determine whether it presents an unreasonable risk to public health or the environment.
The peer review of the draft risk evaluation of 1,3-butadiene will be scheduled for early 2025. Nominations of potential peer reviewers are due by Oct. 18. Self-nominations are welcome. Further details are available in EPA’s news release and in the Federal Register.