The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled the roster of scientific experts selected to conduct a peer review of the 2023 Draft Risk Evaluation for Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate (TCEP), a chemical under scrutiny for its health and environmental impacts. This initiative, carried out under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), involves a group of 10 distinguished scientists.
Scientist Profiles
- Dr. Adriana C. Bejarano, a Senior Ecotoxicologist at Shell Global Solutions, Inc., specializes in aquatic toxicology and environmental sciences, with over 20 years of experience and significant contributions to science-based environmental assessments.
- Dr. Aimin Chen, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, focuses on environmental epidemiology, particularly in children's health, with research on chemical exposure effects on child development and neurobehavioral outcomes.
- Dr. George P. Cobb, Professor at Baylor University, has expertise in environmental and analytical chemistry, with over 140 peer-reviewed publications and contributions to understanding the fate and effects of environmental chemicals.
- Dr. Robin E. Dodson, Associate Director of Research Operations at Silent Spring Institute, is known for her work on exposure to consumer product chemicals, especially in indoor environments, contributing to reduced exposure interventions.
- Dr. David A. Eastmond, an Emeritus Professor at the University of California, Riverside, brings extensive experience in genetic toxicology and carcinogenesis, with a focus on the health risks of environmental chemicals.
- Dr. Gary Ginsberg, Director at the Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, specializes in toxicology and risk assessment, with expertise in PBPK modeling and probabilistic risk methods.
- Dr. Gaylia Jean Harry, Head of the Neurotoxicology Laboratory at NTP/NIEHS, focuses on the effects of environmental agents on the nervous system, particularly during development, and has extensive experience in neurotoxicology and neuropathology.
- Dr. Thomas Osimitz, Founder of Science Strategies, LLC, brings expertise in human health toxicology, with a focus on cancer mode of action and dose-response modeling, and significant contributions to the field of chemical safety assessment.
- Dr. Jennifer Przybyla, Lead Environmental Health Scientist at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, focuses on the health effects of exposure to chemical mixtures and risk assessment of chemicals at Superfund Sites.
- Dr. Rainbow A Rubin, Science Director at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, specializes in chronic health impacts and chemical risk assessment, with extensive experience in environmental health advocacy and research on chemical exposures related to breast cancer.
Virtual Public Meeting
Following a comprehensive nomination and public commentary phase that spanned several months from September to December 2023, the EPA is poised to conduct a virtual public meeting on 5 March 2024. This session aims to deliberate on the draft documents and charge questions for the review, ensuring transparency and public engagement in the process. Participants are encouraged to register by 1 March to partake in this significant discussion.
The review, scheduled to commence on 13 March 2024, is critical, given the draft risk evaluation's findings on TCEP. Historically used in various applications ranging from aerospace to consumer goods, TCEP's production in the U.S. has plummeted by approximately 99% since 2014. However, its continued use, particularly as a flame retardant and plasticizer in specific sectors, has raised health concerns. The EPA's draft evaluation links TCEP exposure to serious health risks, including kidney cancer and developmental issues, alongside environmental hazards, particularly to aquatic life.
Feedback from the public and the insights garnered from the peer review will be instrumental in shaping the final risk evaluation. This process reflects the EPA's dedication to leveraging expert knowledge and public input to inform its regulatory decisions, ensuring the protection of public health and the environment from potential chemical hazards.
