April 30, 2014

1:30 – 3:00PM Eastern

Hosted by The Horinko Group in partnership with AlterEcho

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Overview

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a dual threat chemical as it is still used in varied manufacturing, degreasing and cleaning operations and may be the most pervasive and challenging contaminant associated with soil and groundwater pollution at remediation sites across the country.  In late 2011, EPA issued its Final Assessment for TCE in its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, setting a strict inhalation Reference Concentration for Chronic Inhalation Exposure (RfC) of 2 micrograms per cubic meter.  Due to the health effect cited, fetal cardiac malformations, and the implications for short-term exposures, the stakes for TCE have been raised.  Industry experts maintain that the decision to base the RfC on less than chronic exposures has the potential to trigger expanded TCE concerns in both the workplace and for previously closed remediation projects (from indoor air exposures due to the vapor intrusion (VI) pathway).

This webinar will provide an analysis of the issues and science related to the TCE RfC, along with an update on its current regulatory status.  Interim approaches to addressing potential TCE risks in the absence of updated regulations and guidance will also be discussed.  Given the large population of workers who could be impacted (with a focus on women of child-bearing ages) and the number of TCE contaminated remediation sites across the country, decisions concerning updated regulations and guidance on this issue are of critical importance to industry from cost, operations, and health and safety standpoints.

Moderator

• Travis Kline, Senior Toxicologist with AlterEcho Travis Kline has more than 20 years of experience developing site-specific chemical and radionuclide risk assessments and toxicological reviews at federal and state-regulated sites nationwide.  Travis is the co-author of the Alternatives Analysis Report for Bisphenol-A (BPA) in Infant Formula Cans and Baby Food Jar Lids for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the first examination by a state agency of the potential hazards of BPA, as well as investigating currently available and emerging BPA alternatives.  He is a frequent instructor for EPA and state environmental agencies on risk assessment and toxicology, and his research work has appeared in multiple scientific publications.  He was a featured speaker at the 2013 Safer Products Summit, discussing the risks of VOCs in consumer products and VOC alternatives. He is a member of the Society of Toxicology and the Society for Risk Analysis (New England Chapter).  He has an MEM in Toxicology from Duke University and a BA in Developmental Biology/Genetics from Colby College.