Legal Blog

Government Accountability Office Assesses Implementation of TSCA

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report in March 2019 that provides insight into the EPA’s progress in implementing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA is responsible for evaluating the risk to human health and the environment from chemicals used in both consumer and commercial products. In 2016, the amended TSCA provided the EPA with expanded authority to review both existing and new chemicals and to issue regulations for chemicals that are found to present unreasonable health or environmental risks. The EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program creates toxicity evaluations for the subject chemicals. In…

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Prop 65 Provides Guidance for Rental Properties

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) recently finalized regulations that will take effect on July 1, 2019 to assist managers and owners of residential properties rental with compliance with Proposition 65 requirements. Under the regulations, a warning will be deemed clear and reasonable if it is provided to “each known adult occupant of the property at the time of renting, leasing…etc.” and “each year thereafter.” The regulations may be provided in: (i) a letter addressed to “each known adult occupant” or to tenants and occupants where the occupant’s names are known or (ii) through an email message…

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OEHHA Releases Styrene Fact Sheet

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) recently released a Proposition 65 fact sheet on styrene.  As it has done for other chemicals on the Proposition 65 list, OEHHA is providing the public with this information in order to provide further context to Proposition 65 warnings. Styrene is an industrial chemical that is used for manufacturing various products including synthetic rubbers, latex paints, and polystyrene plastics. Exposure can occur through various channels; styrene can be released into the atmosphere in indoor settings through paints and building materials and even through indoor technology such as 3D printers that use…

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Los Angeles County Bans Use of Glyphosate Amid Verdict Against Monsanto

Los Angeles County has taken action in light of a court’s finding that Monsanto’s Roundup is linked to cancer. The county issued a moratorium on the use of the weed killer pending further investigation into the health and environmental dangers of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide worldwide.  The Public Interest Research Group reported that 26 million pounds of Roundup is sprayed on public grounds each year, including playgrounds, school property and parks. Los Angeles’s Department of Public Works will suspend the use of Roundup until experts can assess its impact. According to…

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FDA to Hold Public Hearing on Cannabis

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will hold a public hearing to collect information related to the safety, production, and sale of cannabis products. The hearing is scheduled for May 31, 2019. The goal of the hearing conducted by the FDA is to provide information to the regulatory oversight committee about the safety of cannabis in FDA regulated products. The FDA has additionally announced its plan to form a committee to assess the process for lawfully marketing dietary supplements and food products containing cannabidiol (CBD). Safety concerns regarding cannabis have increased as the use of cannabis products…

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