Terpstra Karen K on mon 23 oct 00
Those of you keeping abreast of the dioxin issues, here are some of the
latest from the lesilative committee of ACerS:
(sorry the format may be screwed up)
Karen Terpstra
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
DIOXIN UPDATE
As a follow-up to our earlier report, it is important that
members of ACerS understand that dioxin has re-emerged as an
issue of concern for the mined clay and ceramics industry.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed
significant new regulatory initiatives, including a
reassessment of the risk of dioxin exposure and will be
looking at all sources of dioxin and the levels of exposure.
EPA is moving forward with this initiative and it will not
stop with ball clays. Manufacturers of all clay products must
be prepared to prove that their raw materials and finished
products are free from dioxin contamination and that exposure
levels do not unduly impact their workers.
LPAC has asked Dr. Marcus Cooke, a leading expert on
dioxin-related issues, to report on the issues and impact on
the ceramic industry and this report will appear in the LPAC
column of the Ceramic Bulletin later this year. If you have
any questions about this issue, please don't hesitate to
contact Dr. Cooke at wmcooke1@aol.com.
In addition, if you would like to work with LPAC in developing
various options and approaches in working with EPA, please let
us know at jflatley@navista.net.
OTHER KEY LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES
Dioxin - EPA Science Advisory Board, Dioxin Reassessment Review
Committee (DRRC), to Meet November 1 - 2 in Alexandria,
Virginia - To Review and Comments on the Changes Agency Staff
have made to the Agency's Draft Report, Titled: "Exposure and
Human Health Reassessment of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-
Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds," which is a scientific
reassessment of the potential health risks of exposure to
dioxin and related compounds that was reviewed by the DRRC in
1995.
Regulation of Dioxins and Furans in the Great Lakes - EPA
Seeks Public Comments by November 30 on a Draft Report, Titled:
"The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy; Canada-United
States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent
Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes," which addresses a
four-step process that Environment Canada and the US EPA,
in cooperation with their partners, will use in working
toward the virtual elimination of Dioxin and Furans and other
hazardous/toxic substances from the Great Lakes - The four
step process addresses technical and source-related
information about the substances (step 1); the analysis of
current regulations, initiatives and programs which manage or
control the substances (step 2); the identification of
cost-effective options to achieve further reductions (step 3);
and the implementation of actions toward the goal of virtual
elimination (step 4) - EPA notes that the draft report on
Dioxins/Furans relates to steps 1 and 2 of the analytical
process - An electronic copy of the draft report should be
posted at the following EPA www site: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/bns/
-
A paper copy should be available from, and questions may be
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