MINUTES
UC Toxic Substances Research & Teaching Program
Public Advisory Committee Fall Meeting
Air Resources Board, Sacramento
Friday, October 10, 1997
- Present: Jim Stratton, Chair, Dept. of Health Services
- Jim Allen, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control
- Marc Aarens, UC Office of the President
- Syed Ali, Cal. Water Resources Control Board
- Steven Book, Dept. of Health Services
- Kean Goh, Dept. of Pesticide Regulation
- Maricela Gonzalez, TSR&TP Prog. Assist.
- Jim Hunt, Assoc. Director of TSR&TP
- Jeff Hunts, Cal. Integrated Waste Mgmt. Board, representing Bill Orr
- Charles Lapin, ARCO
- Jerold Last, Director of TSR&TP
- Mike Paparian, Sierra Club
- Leslie Stewart, League of WomenVoters
- Mika Pringle Tolson, TSR&TP Prog. Coordinator
- Winona Victery, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Absent: June Andersen, Dept. of DNR-124, IBM
- Donald Lassiter, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Niall Mateer, Offfice of V.P. Academic Affairs, UCOP
- Val Siebal, Cal EPA
- Arthur Winer, TSR&TP Assoc. Director
- Jim Allen, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control
Jim Stratton brought the meeting to order at 10:12 am and made a motion to approve the minutes from the spring 1997 meeting. Jeff Hunts made a correction for Bill Orr on page 4, paragraph 7. The proposed workshop referred to was tentatively scheduled and did not occur. After this change, all members approved the minutes.
Jerry Last began the discussion of the research needs that were provided in the agenda packet. He asked for the committee's input on excluding or including particular research areas. Jim Stratton reviewed the previous list of research needs of March 3, 1997, which was provided in the Advisory Committee binder. More discussion followed regarding whether or not the list should be narrowed or broadened. Steven Book commented that there was no "Eco" on the list. Winona Victery added that environmental estrogens should have been included. Syed Ali was concerned with the toxicology and human health impacts of perchlorates in drinking water. There is currently no water treatment for this type of contamination. Steven Book echoed his concerns. Jerry Last asked whether perchlorate should be moved up on the list. Jim Stratton answered that he wants to see research take a multi-media approach instead of trading one toxic for another on the list of importance. The committee agreed that perchlorates were an important issue. Leslie Stewart asked if the TSR&TP was looking widely enough at unintended consequences of approving chemicals; she suggested adding preventive policy to the list. She also suggested that MTBE be removed because of current legislation and other funding. Jim Allen was concerned that the list was not focused enough to have a real impact on the state. Marc Aarens requested that the list be prioritized. He asked the committee if there was anyone else who thought the research needs should be more focused. Steven Book was concerned that prioritizing the list could limit and/or exclude areas that should be studied. Jim Allen then asked the question of what was the committee's responsibility in guiding this program. Jerry Last commented that this committee served somewhat as a "reality check." Stratton asked for more suggestions for Jerry Last and TSR&TP.
Charles Lapin reported for the private industry sector. The important projects he is currently involved in, and is most concerned with, include MTBE, diesel exhaust, and the California Department of Toxic Substance Control's classification of hazardous waste. He also expressed his concern on how we judge the quality of peer reviews in an academic environment, especially since they are held up as the gold standard. He added that he would like to see more policy studies in the program. Jerry Last emphasized that TSR&TP does try to influence its components to pursue policy studies. Charles Lapin asked if the analysis of policy was a role for the university and what quality controls exist for things like the NAS science review panel. Marc Aarens said that he would like to think the scientific community would identify peers who did not practice good science. Jim Stratton commented that many UC scientists have said things in depositions as "expert witnesses" that they never published because of potential peer scorn. Michael Paparian added that scientists are always in the hot seat. He asked what happens in the face of uncertainty and he gave the example of global climate change and the very different sides reputable scientists are taking. Charles Lapin added that the EPA's proposed standards on particulate pollution are another example of unresolved scientific issues.
Michael Paparian presented the Sierra Club update. Their current major concern is pesticides and their increased use in California. Pesticide use has gone up by 31%, and dangerous pesticide use has risen by 129% according to a 1991-95 report. There has been a dramatic increase in overall usage of cancer-causing pesticides. He gave the example of the cancer cluster found in MacFarland, for which the cause was never determined. Now a second cancer cluster has been found in the same city, and this is once again an area of major concern. Pesticides as air and water contaminants, as well as other water contaminants such as antibiotics arising from animal feed, also registered as concerns. He believes the health impacts of toxics on children should also be analyzed when studying the health impacts on adults. Finally the issue of environmental justice was addressed while he passed out the newsletter " Voices" from the Sierra Club Journal of the Environmental Justice Network. Jerry Last commented that TSR&TP has funded projects in this area before and he gave Andrew Szasz's (UCSC) current project as an example.
Leslie Stewart reported on behalf of the League of Women Voters. The recent topics of importance that have come to her attention have been agricultural chemicals, water reuse, environmental impact of high tech manufacturing, diesel exhaust, and methamphetamine lab cleanups. She passed around copies of her update to the committee. First, agricultural chemicals like pesticides are still a major concern, especially in areas that were previously rural and unpopulated and are now being affected by groundwater contamination. Methods of cleanup will be a major concern as population increases in these areas, causing the uncontaminated water supply to diminish. Water reuse is still opposed by many people, partly because they are unfamiliar with new treatment technologies. The environmental impacts of high tech manufacturing (see handout of the article from Computer Currents 9/30/97) was another worrisome area, especially in regards to recycling computers and clean industries. Some communities are looking into whether or not these industries are clean enough to move into their area. Diesel exhaust and MTBE were other concerns mentioned by Leslie Stewart. She asked why buses and trucks are not subjected to the same stringent smog controls as other vehicles. She added that diesel exhaust should be listed as a toxic air contaminant. Finally, methamphetamine lab cleanups was another problem brought to the committee's attention. She was bothered by the idea that residues were left behind after cleanup. Marc Aarens asked what was going to be done with this residue after cleanup and who foots the bill. He also asked if this was a science matter.
Winona Victery presented the EPA update. The reorganization at Region 9 EPA created a new Office of Comunity and Government Relations whose function is to provide access and liaisons for each state and smaller communities. The Region has developed a web site at http://www.epa.gov/region09/. News, vacancies, and information about programs can be found there. A new initiative was proposed for the fiscal year 1998 budget: EMPCT (Environmental Monitoring to Protect Communities from Toxics), to transfer real time environmental monitoring data to communities. EPA is trying to get information from stakeholders in MTBE issues to address needs for data. There will be a follow up by the regional office. She passed out another handout of the website http://es.inel.gov/ncerqa/rfa/ which lists announcements for NCERQA (National Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance). She asked the committee to keep her informed on their information from the State of California. The EPA's grants program has been divided into two areas: Intramural and Extramural. These two areas do not collaborate or share information effectively. Victery mentioned that the EPA has been criticized for its lack of scientific quality. She asked the committee for input on how to improve communication on what it takes to make and get quality science. She would like any information sent to her on what needs attention and what EPA might do to improve their quality.
Syed Ali presented the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) update and passed out a paper summary. David Cohen has retired, so Syed Ali will be the regular committee member. A draft functional equivalent document (FED) of the policy for implementation of toxic standards for inland surface water, enclosed bays, and estuaries of California was released to the public for comments on Sept. 11, 1997. The policy is focused on two areas: establishing numerical effluent limitations, and compliance determination. The draft policy and FED are available at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/wq-plans.htm or in hard copy by voice mail at (916) 657-1119. A new Senate Bill (1320 - External scientific peer review) requires Cal/EPA to enter into an agreement with NAS, UC, CSU, and other institutions of higher learning or groups of scientists of comparable credibility and qualifications that are recommended by the UC President, to conduct an external scientific peer review of the scientific basis for any rule proposed by Cal/EPA.
Jim Allen presented the Department of Toxic Substances Control update. He handed out a report on the Assessment of the Petroleum Industry : Hazardous Waster Source Reduction Planning Efforts as well as a pamphlet of the Interstate Technology Regulatory Cooperation.. Pollution prevention programs for Toxic Substances Control will be augmented for next year.
Kean Goh presented the Dept. of Pesticide Regulations update. He informed the committee that one million dollars had been allocated for research to fund proposals in the areas of applied research and demonstration on reduced risk pest control. The requests for proposals are available on the web at http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/.
Jim Stratton presented the Department of Health Services (DHS) update. First he mentioned that Peter Rooney had just been appointed as the new Secretary for Cal/EPA. He then commented on the recent passage of the MTBE bills. Additional information on this topic is available in the newspapers. Requirements to work on a drinking water standard for DHS were mentioned. Paparian asked if there was any information on well water. The website available on water quality standards is at http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/prevsrv/ddwem/index.htm.
Steven Book also reported on Dept of Health Services: Drinking Water Technology Program Branch. A volunteer protection program, the Drinking Water Source Assessment Program for pollution prevention, was created to keep contaminants out of the water. Another concern mentioned was the standards for beaches on water quality. AB411 was developed for the implementation of beach safety and indicator organisms to gauge. Regulations and guidelines for sign posting and notification were also mentioned.
Jeff Hunts presented the California Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB) updates for Bill Orr. (See handout). He discussed a few selected waste prevention projects that the IWMB is currently working on. The aim of the Shipping and Distribution Partnership Workshop/Program is to reduce packaging waste by identifying effective methods to improve shipping and distribution efficiency. The IWMB received a $100,000 grant from the US EPA Pollution Prevention Incentives for States for an Integrated Multi-media Pollution Prevention Business Assessment Program. This grant will provide assessments in the printing industry. In early December, the IWMB will be working with the US EPA to host a series of workshops on methods and models to measure source reduction program potential.
Marc Aarens presented the UC Office of the President update. The University budget looks fine for this year. The TSR&TP budget will be at the same level as last year. The National Earthquake Engineering Center was awarded to the University of California; it will be located on the Berkeley campus. Jim Stratton mentioned Proposition 98 which would freeze student fees. Marc Aarens added that the UCOP is working on an agreement with Governor Wilson to guarantee a UC budget at certain levels for an extended period of time so that UC can keep student fees at current levels.
Mika Tolson announced that Paul Davis is the new TSR&TP webmaster and technical support person for the program. The Fall 1997 issue of the UC Toxics Newsletter was handed out. The TSR&TP will be publishing the newsletter electronically from now on. Committee members were instructed to contact Mika if they wish to receive paper copies of future newsletters. All committee members will receive an email announcement when a new issue is published on the web. Charles Lapin commented that he would like to see the agenda and minutes on the website as well. Everyone agreed to this. Other web addresses and links from the handouts will also be added to the website. A page of links will be created for the Advisory Committee.
Jerry Last gave the committee an update on the lead campus programs. He passed around a handout from the UCLA Engineering Component (called CERR-Center for Environmental Risk Reduction) demonstrating the projects being funded. The TSR&TP annual research symposium is scheduled for April 24-25, 1998 at the Berkeley Marina Marriott. Jerry discussed the possibilities of having a panel discussion of the pros/cons of an issue as an alternative to guest speakers. This panel discussion is experimental and he asked the committee for suggestions on topics.
Jerry Last presented the outreach activities for the TSR&TP. DQ-University outreach efforts have slowed due to uncertainties with their administration.
The committee broke for lunch at 12:10pm and reconvened at 12:40pm. Jim Stratton asked for opinions on the location of the spring meeting. The general consensus was to hold the meeting somewhere in Sacramento again. Charles Lapin voiced his conern about the parking situation at the Air Resources Board. Mika Tolson suggested taking an opinion poll before the planning of the next meeting begins. Continental Plaza was suggested as an option. The spring meeting agenda should include an update on MTBE.
Jim Hunt gave a presentation on water reuse. He pointed out that most of the water reuse efforts in Northern California relate to agricultural or irrigation use while in Southern California, the treated wastewaters are being used for groundwater recharge followed by dilution and extraction for domestic uses. UC is involved through association with the Water Reuse Foundation to set up a research program to be funded by the foundation and governmental agencies. He gave an example of a river basin in Salinas, where excessive pumping of groundwater is causing sea water to intrude from the aquifer. Produce packers have refused to use reused water for irrigation because of food safety concerns. Hunt indicated the role the TSR&TP plays in this issue; the program is supporting a project at UC Berkeley (David Sedlak). The public is finding the reality of water reuse hard to accept. There have been new projects to market water reuse, but they have had little success. Hunt mentioned other issues that are water reuse related, like policy, fate, and transport. He is concerned with what the biotech industry is doing to solve any problems that they have created with bioactive discharges. He believes that we are looking at the wrong areas. Hunt asked the question of what happens to the waste products of animals who have been fed antibiotics. This brought on further discussion by the committee. Leslie Stewart was concerned about what is in well water, especially when you see signs that say that it is ground water. Michael Paparian commented on dual plumbing as an issue in the future. Leslie Stewart stated that dual piping is already being used in the Pleasanton area. Charles Lapin voiced his concerns on the control and monitoring factors of water reuse. Jim Stratton stated that the Dept. of Health Services sets the standard. Steven Book mentioned the estrogen and dairy issue. The committee will continue discussion of this issue at the next meeting.
Jerry Last led a general discussion on having additional members in the committee to represent other areas like the California legislature (Office of the Assembly or Senate staff), the environmental community, and another industrial participant. He asked the committee to provide specific suggestions on potential members.
Jim Stratton asked if we could have an MTBE presentation at the next meeting. Jim Allen asked if someone had a list of MTBE standing committees. Winona Victery said she could provide the little that she had. Steven Book suggested contacting Joan Denton (ARB), who tracks all legislative people involved in MTBE committees and work groups focusing on the MTBE issue.
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 pm.
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