Existing Chemicals

ASSESSMENT

	Existing Chemicals
	Quantity
	NICNAS undertakes assessments of chemicals already in use in Australia under the Existing Chemicals program. Appendix 08 details the types of assessments that are undertaken in the Existing Chemicals program. During 2003-04, two full risk assessments of PEC were published, and one assessment conducted under secondary notification provisions of the Act was published. Thirty other assessments were also completed. These included 17 assessments examining hazard classifications, seven exposure assessments, five assessments examining poisons scheduling, and a safety alert. The assessments are detailed in Table 8, and also in Appendix 11. In addition, a preliminary screening was undertaken of thirty chemicals belonging to the group of chemicals known as phthalates, in preparation for possible regulatory action in 2004-05.
	A target of three full assessments and ten other assessments was set for the year 2003-04 to maintain the output target rate of 50 chemicals assessed over a three-year period, which was set out as a performance indicator in the DoHA PBS 2003-04 and incorporated into the NICNAS Business Plan 2003-04. This target was met for the full assessments and in the case of other assessments the target was substantially exceeded (by 300 per cent). Assessment outputs for 2003-04 are summarised in Table 9 and are compared with last year’s activity. The five-year trend is shown in Figure 13. Top of Page
	Timeliness
	Statutory timelines exist in relation to existing chemical full risk and preliminary assessments and secondary notification assessments. These include compulsory deadlines, mandated by the Act, for applicant and public comment on draft reports, the Director’s response to requests for variations to the draft report, and for completion of an assessment. These timelines were all met in 2003-04.
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	Effectiveness
	To help ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian Government’s approach to the regulation of chemicals, NICNAS has continued to work with other government agencies involved with the assessment and management of chemicals. In 2003-04, NICNAS contributed technical scientific expertise to a significant number of government projects involving existing industrial chemicals.
	Seventeen chemicals commonly used in skin patch testing for allergic dermatitis, but unclassified as to their hazard in Australia, were assessed by NICNAS against NOHSC criterion for sensitisation. Recommendations were made to NOHSC to classify eight of the 17 chemicals as sensitisers. NICNAS also presented five public health evaluation reports to the 40th and 41st meetings of the NDPSC, regarding the proposed scheduling of chemicals under the SUSDP. The reports covered a range of issues related to hazard and risk associated with specific applications of the chemical. The evaluations were discussed by the Committee and all the NICNAS recommendations accepted. NICNAS contributed technical expertise to the Australian Government's National Dioxins Program, a four-year activity set up to assess and manage the release of dioxins and dioxin-like substances in Australia. NICNAS assessed total atmospheric dioxin levels and provided an overall assessment of inhalation exposure to dioxins for different population subgroups. The NICNAS assessment was incorporated into a human health risk assessment of dioxins in Australia, published as Technical Report No. 12 by the National Dioxins Program in May 2004. NICNAS has also contributed technical expertise to the National Environmental Protection Council’s development of an Air Toxics National Environmental Protection Measure. NICNAS is a member of the NOHSC Chemicals Standing Sub-committee and has also contributed to working groups of this Committee.
	Continuing an initiative by NICNAS to produce targeted, concise and easily accessible information products on chemicals of concern, in 2003-04 NICNAS produced Safety Information Sheets on two fuel additives that had been assessed as PEC. These products are designed for display in the workplace, and were distributed to industry and unions, as well as made available on the NICNAS website. In addition, a NICNAS Alert was prepared on the use of methylene chloride in paint stripping. The Alert stresses the need for caution when using methylene chloride and details how to use the chemical safely for paint stripping. The Alert was produced following two workplace deaths in 2003, when methylene chloride was used in open tanks for stripping paint from furniture. Also, an Information Sheet on methylene chloride summarising the health effects of the chemical was produced and published on the NICNAS website.
	PEC reports make recommendations for the elimination or reduction of hazards and risks associated with chemical use. The number of recommendations made in PEC reports published up to June 2004 is shown in Table 10. During the last three years, NICNAS has actively worked with NOHSC to encourage take-up of PEC recommendations directed to NOHSC. The majority of these recommendations relate to hazard classification and exposure standards. By the end of 2003-04, 90 per cent of a total of 53 recommendations to NOHSC had either been taken up or were under consideration. An additional 43 recommendations were made in the other assessments completed in 2003-04. Target areas of the recommendations are shown in Table 11. In addition, NICNAS contributed to the making of several recommendations made in 2003-04 by the National Dioxins Program as a result of a human health risk assessment. This included five recommendations relating to the management of potential health risks. Considerable input by the Existing Chemicals Teams was made in 2003-04 to a major review of the Existing Chemicals program, which formally commenced with the convening of the first meeting of the RSC in November 2003. The review is reported on in full in the Reform Chapter of this report. Top of Page
	Price
	The continuing focus of the Existing Chemicals Program on different types of assessments has resulted in a doubling of the numbers of assessments completed this year, as compared to 2002-03. Utilization of overseas assessment reports continues to provide savings in resources that might otherwise be spent conducting full assessments of chemicals of concern. Where international assessments on a chemical of concern in Australia already exist, information sheets or alerts may be considered a more appropriate way to address concerns. Five international assessments were consulted and used in the preparation of three assessments prepared in 2003-04.