ITC-CMA partnership and data needs for alkylphenols and ethoxylates

The ITC has been an independent advisory committee to the EPA Administrator since enactment of the Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976. The ITC identifies and coordinates U.S. Government data needs for TSCA-regulable chemicals, and makes recommendations to the Administrator for priority testing consideration. Chemicals recommended by the ITC are added to the TSCA Priority Testing List that is revised semi-annually in Reports to the Administrator. In recent Reports, the ITC added alkylphenols (APs) and ethoxylates to the Priority Testing List. About 500 million pounds are produced annually for industrial processing, cleaning and personal care products. APs have been detected in the tissues of fish from the Great Lakes, and one AP (nonylphenol) causes vitellogenin gene expression in trout hepatocytes. Numerous APs and ethoxylates were recommended by the ITC because data are needed on: (1) chemical composition, (2) environmental fate of parent chemicals and impurities, and (3) health and ecological effects (including toxicokinetics and endocrine-modulating effects). In response to the ITC's recommendations, two activities have ensued. First, the EPA promulgated rules requiring manufacturers, importers and processors of APs and ethoxylates to submit production and exposure reports, and unpublished health and safety studies, for review. Second, the Alkylphenols and Ethoxylates Panel of Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) and the ITC formed a Dialogue Group to discuss the data needs. Data needs and activities initiated by the Dialogue Group will be presented.