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[Federal Register: April 9, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 68)]
[Notices]               
[Page 18165-18166]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09ap10-49]                         

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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

 
Notice of Meeting of Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel on Phthalates

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission) announces 
the first meeting of the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) on 
Phthalates. The Commission appointed this CHAP to study the effects on 
children's health of all phthalates and phthalate alternatives as used 
in children's toys and child care articles, pursuant to section 108 of 
the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) (Pub. L. 
110-314).

DATES: The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 
April 14 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the fourth floor hearing room in 
the Commission's offices at 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland.
    Online Registration: Members of the public who wish to attend the 
meeting are requested to preregister online at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/chap.aspx. This meeting will also be available live via Web cast 
at http://www.cpsc.gov/webcast. Registration is not necessary to view 
the Web cast.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Babich, Directorate for Health 
Sciences, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD 20814; 
telephone (301) 504-7253; e-mail mbabich@cpsc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has previously investigated 
potential risks posed to children from phthalate plasticizers, 
especially di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate 
(DINP), which were used to soften some children's teethers, rattles, 
and toys made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Phthalates can leach from 
such products when they are mouthed by children, causing some 
phthalates to be ingested. In addition, children and adults can be 
exposed to phthalates from many sources, including consumer products, 
food, cosmetics, medical devices, and the environment. Certain 
phthalates have been shown to cause adverse health effects, including 
birth defects, in laboratory animals.
    Section 108 of the CPSIA permanently prohibits the sale of any 
``children's toy or child care article'' containing more than 0.1 
percent of three specified phthalates--DEHP, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), 
and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP). Section 108 of the CPSIA also 
prohibits, on an interim basis, the sale of ``toys that can be placed 
in a child's mouth'' or ``child care articles'' containing more than 
0.1 percent of three additional phthalates--DINP, diisodecyl phthalate 
(DIDP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP).
    Moreover, section 108 of the CPSIA requires the Commission to 
convene a CHAP ``to study the effects on children's health of all 
phthalates and phthalate alternatives as used in children's toys and 
child care articles.'' The CPSIA requires the CHAP to complete an 
examination of the full range of phthalates that are used in products 
for children and to: (i) Examine all of the potential health effects 
(including endocrine disrupting effects) of the full range of 
phthalates; (ii) consider the potential health effects of each of these 
phthalates both in isolation and in combination with other phthalates; 
(iii) examine the likely levels of children's, pregnant women's, and 
others' exposure to phthalates, based on a reasonable estimation of 
normal and foreseeable use and abuse of such products; (iv) consider 
the cumulative effect of total exposure to phthalates, both from 
children's products and from other sources, such as personal care 
products; (v) review all relevant data, including the most recent, 
best-available, peer-reviewed, scientific studies of these phthalates 
and phthalate alternatives that employ objective data collection 
practices or employ other objective methods; (vi) consider the health 
effects of phthalates not only from ingestion but also as a result of 
dermal, hand-to-mouth, or other exposure; (vii) consider the level at 
which there is a reasonable certainty of no harm to children, pregnant 
women, or other susceptible individuals and their offspring, 
considering the best available science, and using sufficient safety 
factors to account for uncertainties regarding exposure and 
susceptibility of children, pregnant women, and other potentially 
susceptible individuals; and (viii) consider possible similar health 
effects of phthalate alternatives used in children's toys and child 
care articles.
    The CHAP's examination must be conducted de novo, and the statute 
contemplates completion of its examination within 18 months of 
appointment of the CHAP. The CHAP must review prior work on phthalates 
by the Commission, but the Commission's prior work is not to be 
considered determinative.
    The CHAP must make recommendations to the Commission regarding any 
phthalates (or combinations of phthalates) in addition to those 
identified in section 108 of the CPSIA or phthalate alternatives that 
the panel determines should be declared banned hazardous substances. 
The Commission selected the CHAP members from scientists nominated by 
the National Academy of Sciences. See 15 U.S.C. 2077, 2030(b).
    The first meeting of the CHAP on Phthalates will be held on April 
14 and 15, 2010, in the fourth floor hearing room at the Commission's 
offices at 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland. The meeting will 
begin at 9 a.m. both days and is scheduled to end at 5 p.m. on April 14 
and 4 p.m. on April 15. The meeting is open to the public, space 
permitting, but no opportunity for public participation in the first 
meeting is scheduled. There will be an opportunity in connection with 
the second meeting of the CHAP for presentation of oral and written 
data and views (date to be announced).
    At the first CHAP meeting, the CHAP will choose its Chair and Vice 
Chair and the CPSC staff will present information on the history of the 
phthalates project, the scope of the CHAP on phthalates, including a 
review of the de novo examination called for in section 108 
(b)(2)(B)(i) through (vii) of the CPSIA, and the CPSC staff's toxicity 
reviews and other work on phthalates. During the remainder of the 
meeting, the CHAP will consider how it will proceed and begin its 
deliberations.


[[Page 18166]]


    Dated: April 6, 2010.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-8144 Filed 4-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
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