Chemical Information Call-In Overview

Under Health and Safety Code sections 57018-57020, the Department of Toxic Substances Control may request information regarding analytical test methods, fate and transport in the environment, and other relevant information from manufacturers on chemicals of concern.  The law applies to companies or individuals who produce a chemical in California or those who import a chemical into the state for sale in California.  They are responsible for developing and submitting requested information in an equitable and resource-efficient manner.  The information requested includes but is not limited to any of the following:

1. an analytical test method for that chemical, or for metabolites and degradation products from that chemical, that are biologically relevant in the matrix specified by the state agency,
2. the octanol-water partition coefficient and bioconcentration factor for humans for that chemical, or
3. other relevant information on the fate and transport of that chemical in the environment.

Health and Safety Code section 57020 of the law covers trade secrets. When the manufacturer believes the information requested should be considered confidential, the Department will notify the person that submitted the information of any request for the information. The Department will then only disclose the information subject to judicial proceedings as described in the California Health and Safety Code section 57020.

Presently, the Department has requested information on the following nanomaterials:  nano silver, nano titanium dioxide, nano zerovalent iron, nano cerium oxide, quantum dots, and nano zinc oxide.  For more information on this call-in, please visit the Chemical Information Call-in:  Nano Metals, Nano Metal Oxides, and Quantum Dots.