UC TSR&TP ADVISORY COMMITTEE FALL 2003 MEETING

Cal/EPA Building- 1001 I Street, Suite 1710, Sacramento

Friday, October 14, 2003

- MINUTES-

Present:          
Toni Cooper, TSR&TP Program Coordinator
Arthur Fong, Ctr. For Process & Product Toxicology
Kean Goh, Dept. of Pesticide Regulation
John Knezovich, TSR&TP Associate Director
Bruce Labelle, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control
Jerold Last, TSR&TP Director
Steve Macaulay, Calif. Urban Water Agencies
Cathie Magowan, UC Office of the President, Office of Research
Marion Miller Associate Director
Lisa Stevenson, TSR&TP Program Manager
Leslie Stewart, League of Women Voters
Jim Stratton, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Mika Pringle Tolson, TSR&TP Program Technical Coordinator
Kip Wiley, Senate Office of Research

Not Present:;
Syed Ali, State Water Resources Control Board
Richard Bode, Calif. Air resources Board
Steve Book, Dept. of Health Services
Tam Doduc, Calif. Environmental Protection Agency
Charles Lapin, Lapin & Associates
Scott MacDonald, Office of Research
Laureen O’Connell, UC Office of the President, Office of Research
Winona Victery, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Jim Stratton brought the meeting to order at 10:15am. Spring meeting minutes were reviewed for posting on the TSR&TP website. Leslie Stewart moved to approve the minutes, Kean Goh seconded; all approved.

Emerging issues discussed by the Committee were toxicogenomics, nanotechnology, water reuse, and Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE). Exposure to high and low level toxics, and biological and ecological assessment of multiple chemical exposures were also mentioned. Bruce Labelle brought up toxicogenomics and commented that vitamins in pregnancy can contribute to methylation of genomes, dietary manipulations can change genomic expressions and gene interactions. Jerry Last said TSR&TP has a lead campus that looks at genomics and toxicogenomics. If anyone is interested in DNA methylation send the information to him, and he will pass it along.
Arthur Fong passed out an article, “Who’s Afraid of Nanotechnology” printed in the San Jose Mercury News. The article was in regard to nanotechnology and the environmental impact. Fong’s concerns are how industrial hygienists are dealing with how the nano compounds are monitored, as well as fate and transport issues. Last said there is a UC Davis group that put together an EPA proposal for monitoring. Last agreed that TSR&TP should continue to try to simulate interest in this area.

Jim Stratton asked one of the new committee members, Steve Macaulay with California Urban Water Agencies, to comment on water issues. Macaulay’s perception is that “toilet to tap” water reuse has inhibited some program’s affordability. There are not enough labs or money to do the work. Point of entry and point of use devices (for taste and odor), such as the Brita filters, leave it up to consumers to determine what level of water purification treatment quality they want. Where is the balance between risk and willingness to pay?

The question of how UC can help assist with public and private industry needs was discussed next. Stratton mentioned the European Union’s REACH program (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals) and that some in the US have called for a way to prioritize the effort to focus on chemicals of concern. http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/chemicals/chempol/whitepaper/whitepaper.htm. Last asked Stratton what should UC investigators respond too. Leslie Stewart said it is important to show a procedure exists that deals with these matters. A discussion of the Precautionary Principal began, on how we need sound policy on how to handle potentially hazardous technologies and substances. Stratton asked about whether the London House could facilitate communication with officials in the European Union about the REACH program. Cathie Magowan was not sure of the status of the London office due to budget cuts. Magowan said the California House in London was moved to the Education Abroad Program. Fong also had concerns about costs verses benefits, and how to handle data that comes back.

Jerry Last gave the report from the director’s office and commented on 2003-2004 grants and fellowships applications, lead campus end dates, the new lead campus RFP, and the 2004 symposium. Last said all lead campuses will have sunset dates, so they are “seed funding”. The oldest programs will be phased out first.
Health Effects 2004, Ecotoxicology 2005, Coastal Toxicology 2006, and Toxic Mechanisms 2008, but the TSR&TP would allow a year extension if programs apply for training grants (bridge funding). Last has heard from three interested groups who plan to compete for a new lead campus so far. Some problems may exist with trying to maintain balance with respect to geographical areas. The 2004 Symposium will be held at the Bahia Resort in San Diego.

Cathie Magowan spoke of UC office of the President updates. She said this year research had a mandated 10% cut (2003-2004). All but the smallest program (those that receive less than $30,000/year) will be cut 10.5%. TSR&TP is considered one of the larger programs. Stratton asked about succession of TSR&TP leadership. Last responded that an attempt at succession will be made after the budget situation improves. The Sacramento Center will open in March of next year for undergraduate and graduate students interested in politics and policy. Also, the 15-year “sunset” reviews and comparative reviews are phased out at the end of this cycle. More effort will go toward 5-year reviews. As of October 3, 2003 Robert Dynes became the new UC President. He comes from the University of California, San Diego.

The committee broke for lunch from 11:50-12:30.

After the lunch break, old and new business was discussed. Sacramento seems to be a good location for the meeting. Stratton will explore the availability of the East and West conference rooms in the CalEPA Building for the next meeting, although these rooms have priority to other groups. Speaker suggestions were requested for future meetings. Nanotechnology and gene-environment interactions were some of the topics suggested. Marion Miller said she attended the Toxicology Mechanisms meeting and heard some excellent speakers in this area.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30pm.