ASC GR Intends to Reopen MDI/TDI Chemical Action Plan in 2012

Bethesda, MD -- The South Coast Air Quality Management Districts (SCAQMD) plans to reopen Rule 1168. The EPAs continued efforts to seek information on consumer exposure to diisocyanates will also be a critical area that the Adhesive and Sealant Councils government relations department will focus on in 2012.

"The South Coasts decision to reopen the regulation that sets volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for commercial adhesive and sealant applications could have a major impact on how members formulate their products,"said Mark Collatz, ASCs Director of Government Relations. "Should the District decide to add new categories to the rule, companies that may never have had to deal with the rule could now be thrown into the mix. In addition, South Coast can be a bellwether for other California air districts which might follow suit in revisiting their rules."

The EPA issued Chemical Action Plans for will methylenediphenyl diisocyanates (MDI) and toluene diisocyanates (TDI) in the Spring of 2011. The plans serve as an outline for how the agency will ascertain the amount of exposure to MDI and TDI to consumers and self employed workers and what steps might need to be taken to reduce such exposures.

"ASC and some of its member companies have already established a communications dialogue with the Agencys staff, and we will be organizing an industry response to what we expect will be a formalized call for information by EPA later this year,"said Collatz.

Other issues the Council will be closely monitoring this year include the California Department of Toxic Substances Controls (DTSC) expected final rule aimed at reducing toxic chemicals from consumer products; Environment Canadas second phase of Chemical Management Plan activities; protection of Confidential Business Information under TSCA; the OSHA Global Harmonization Standard Rule; and TSCA modernization legislation.

Collatz pointed out that key speakers at ASCs Spring Convention, April 15-17 in Denver will address some these issues including Rizhaldy Caluncagin-SCAQMDs manager responsible for Rule 1168-and Hortensia Muniz-a California DTSC senior hazardous substances engineer-who is presently working on the revised rules for the California Green Chemistry Initiative.

About Adhesive and Sealant Council

The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) is a North American trade association dedicated to representing the adhesive and sealant industry. The Council is comprised of 117 adhesive and sealant manufacturers, raw material and equipment suppliers, distributors and industry consultants, representing more than 75% of the U.S. industry with operations around the world. Offering education, legislative advocacy, professional networking and business growth solutions for its members, the ASC is the center of knowledge and catalyst for industry growth on a global basis for manufacturers, suppliers and end-users.