Present:

Marc Aarens, Academic Legislative Issues
Syed Ali, State Water Resources Control Board
Michael Barnes UCOP Office of Research
Steven Book, Dept. of Health Services
Toni Cooper, TSR&TP Program Coordinator
Tam Doduc, Calif. Environmental
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, Office of the V.P. Academic Affairs
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:

Richard Bode, Calif. Air Resources Board
Richard Clark, Phillips Petroleum Company
Arthur Fong, Ctr. For Process & Product Toxicology
Charles Lapin, Lapin & Associates
Scott MacDonald, Office of Research
Marion Miller, Associate Director
Pamela Nieberg, Yolano Group Sierra Club
Laureen OçConnell, UC Office of the President, Office of Research
Winona Victery, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Jim Stratton brought the meeting to order at 10:10am. Fall meeting minutes were reviewed and no changes were suggested. Leslie Stewart motioned to approve the minutes. John Knezovich seconded the motion, and all agreed.

Emerging issues discussed by the Committee were Endocrine disruptors from water and food sources., water treatment technologies, improvement regarding mass transportation, potential toxics generated by the proposed hydrogen highway in California, concerns on health effects of urban growth, and technology for cleaning up brownfields.

Steve McCauley, discussed endocrine disruptors in water supplies and food sources. His agency (California Urban Water Agencies) is funding this. They are concerned about the cost of treatment and research. There is a great need for a better idea of what the health threats are from these chemicals. What steps can public agencies take to reduce the risks? Steven Book expressed concern about detection and analysis for low-level carcinogens, and other chemicals with gross screening.

Jerry Last asked about treatment technologies. Is there someone looking into the question of how clean is clean? McCauley spoke of growing concerns in world-wide developing pathogens. How do we make no-regret decisions on infrastructure for water treatment? What is the threshold regarding homeowners? More areas are going with point of use, point of entry water devices. People do not want intrusions on their private properties such as county employees checking filters, etc. Last asked about economical analysis. McCauley said DHS & EPA (Dept. of Health & Environmental Health Agency) are conducting studies on how to get into people's backyards. Stratton commented on comparative risk and environmental fate, is the cost worth the effort? Whatçs the threshold for safety?

Bruce LaBelle said research to determine the risk factor, even if itçs good, may still be perceived by the public as a high risk. Last asked if a directed RFP from the TSR&TP would be valuable in this area. Book responded that it could help.

Tam Doduc mentioned contaminants in water, food and soil and mass transit, air quality accumulative effects on Brownfields, and technology to improve transportation. She also spoke about encouraging more UC participation.

Kip Wiley commented on legislation of PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers). A memo from the environmental committee on this issue should be released in 20-30 days. Many European manufacturers think removing PBDEs is a good idea. It could put them at a competitive advantage to companies that do not conform.

Kean Goh said he has been getting calls on GMO (genetically modified organisms) issues. Everyone is concerned with how to test for GMOs. Mendocino County recently banned GMOs, and other counties are inquiring about testing. Stratton said some biotech companies are trying to seek state pre-emption on county ordinances. Stratton asked about UC research on gene-environment interactions. Last responded that we are training more graduate students in this area, but not necessarily more researchers because there is ambiguity from the regulatory agencies.

Stratton brought up development in the Central Valley and issues such as the loss of farm land and lenient planning ordinances in county areas. The net result is building a low intensity Los Angeles area for air quality. We need to find a solution for less toxic transportation. èKiller commutesî mean less time for family, and exercise. There is an epidemic of obesity and asthma problems. Last said that one of the new lead campus proposals addresses the issue on human population growth and plans to also address urban issues. More people are now involved. Leslie Stewart commented that there is more being done on living near transportation areas, road dust, and diesel fumes contributing to asthma. Stratton strongly supports UC getting involved in this issue. Goh said he was pleased to see there are about 7 grant proposals to the TSR&TP this year on environmental monitoring and remediation technology. Last there is a growing interest in biosensors that may address monitoring, although they are not designed for that. Is there a long-term framework, and whom do we contact? Wiley there is an organization that is dealing with this and will get back to Last with a name. Bruce LaBelle said there is information on the California Performance Review website at http://cpr.ca.gov/

Last gave the report from the Director's Office, beginning with the budget. The TSR&TP has spent the last 3-4 years planning for reduction and has instituted lead campus sunset dates. In round numbers the current budget for the program is $1.5 million, down from $2.2 million. Cathie McGowan added that things will look different for Multicampus Research Units (MRUs), and there will be future cuts. Some MRUs will not survive. UCOP is looking to MRUs to come up with a proposal for outside funding. UCOP is also trying to show the significance of MRUs, but needs help from agencies on how MRUs have helped them. Michael Barnes with the Office of Research at UCOP is lobbying for agencies to speak about how UC has benefited the state. MaGowan mentioned that letters of support would be helpful. Last went over the lead campus sunset dates, and the two proposals received from UCR and UCB for new lead campuses. The TSR&TP Executive Committee will review the options, and most likely fund one new program. Last invited all committee members to attend the Annual Symposium in San Diego April 23-34, 2004.

The committee broke for lunch from 12:05-12:35pm.

The meeting reconvened with a presentation from Tam Doduc on the Governorçs plan for the environment, air quality and transportation. She also passed out notes from a power point presentation with her action points. A shortage of gasoline and petroleum may start happening by 2007 with gas prices possibly rising to $5.00 a gallon. California would like to promote and encourage the use of hybrid vehicles, and develop more hybrid fuel infrastructures, such as the hydrogen highway with fuel stations every 20 miles. Promoting solar power is also a priority. By 2005, 50% of all new homes built should have energy generated by solar power. She commented on getting more resources for parks and open spaces with bond funds. For urban habitats there will be a focus on Brownfields and expediting clean up. There is also a focus on improving the health of children and families living near freeways, and on indoor and outdoor pollutants. They will be strengthening laws and standards, and the fines and penalties will be kept within the impacted communities. This is not just Cal EPAçs plan, but all government agencies will be responsible. Stratton asked about reactions outside of Cal EPA. Doduc answered that everyone is concerned about funding. They are working with private organizations and encouraging more volunteer support. Marc Aarens are there any quick fixes on gas prices? Doduc the move to regulate is proving to be more difficult than previously thought. Barnes said Severin Borenstein agreed there are not enough refineries. Suggested if other states could upgrade to California standards we could buy from them. Last how do you get institutions to look at this problem? Hybrid cars and electric cars generate lead battery waste. Itçs important that there be a process where the public believes they are being adequately protected as new technologies evolve and that state agencies are making an effort to look at all risks.

Concerning old and new business, Stratton commented that none of the committee members representing industry attended this meeting. Can UCOP help with the attendance issue? Magowan asked Lisa Stevenson to send her a list and she would try and help with this matter.

For future speakers, LaBelle suggested Terry Searles with the Energy Commission, Stratton mentioned Dick Jackson to speak of health effects of the built environment, and Wiley suggested someone from the UCD Transportation Institute to give a talk on the hydrogen highway.

Potential dates for the fall meeting will be emailed to everyone in late summer.

The meeting adjourned at 1:25pm.

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