On January 22, 2009, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) sent a formal request to several California manufacturers and/or importers of carbon nanotubes seeking information regarding analytical test methods, environmental fate and transport, and other relevant environmental, health, and safety information regarding carbon nanotubes. The request was issued by DTSC under its authority granted under California’s Health and Safety Code 699, Sections 57018-57020.
DTSC asked manufacturers to answer the following questions:
What is the value chain for your company? For example, in what products are your carbon nanotubes used by others? In what quantities? Who are your major customers?
What sampling, detection and measurement methods are you using to monitor (detect and measure) the presence of your chemical in the workplace and the environment? Provide a full description of all required sampling, detection, measurement and verification methodologies. Provide full QA/QC protocol.
What is your knowledge about the current and projected presence of your chemical in the environment that results from manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal?
What is your knowledge about the safety of your chemical in terms of occupational safety, public health and the environment?
What methods are you using to protect workers in the research, development and manufacturing environment?
When released, does your material constitute a hazardous waste under California Health &Safety Code provisions? Are discarded off-spec materials a hazardous waste? Once discarded are the carbon nanotubes you produce a hazardous waste? What are your waste handling practices for carbon nanotubes?
Recipients have one year to supply the requested information.
