EPA Calls for Nominations of Peer Reviewers for 1,3-Butadiene

Released September 17, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling for nominations of scientific experts to assist the Agency’s Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) by serving as ad hoc reviewers in the peer review of the draft Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation for 1,3-butadiene. 

1,3-Butadiene is a colorless gas with a mild odor similar to gasoline, and it is highly flammable. 1,3-Butadiene is used in manufacturing various products, including plastic and rubber products (including rubber tires). It’s also used in adhesives and sealants, fuels, automotive care products, lubricants, and paints and coatings. 

Nominees should be scientists who have sufficient professional qualifications, including training and expertise, to be capable of providing expert comments on the scientific issues for this review. EPA will be soliciting comments from the experts on the approach and methodologies used in the draft risk evaluation. Nominees should have expertise in at least one of the following areas: risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, human health assessment, and exposure assessment. Read the Federal Register notice for additional information. 

When nominating a candidate to serve as an ad hoc reviewer for this risk evaluation, do not submit any information considered to be confidential business information or other restricted information. Members of the public should also be aware that personal contact information, if included in any written comments, may be posted on the internet.  

Prospective candidates will also be asked to submit confidential financial information to fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA will evaluate the candidates' financial disclosure forms to assess whether there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a loss of impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of the documents under consideration (including previous scientific peer review) before the candidate is considered further.  

The SACC peer review will take place at a public meeting to be scheduled for early 2025. The SACC’s peer review will inform the Agency’s final risk evaluation and risk management decisions under TSCA. The final selection of the ad hoc peer reviewers will depend upon the scientific expertise needed to address the SACC peer review charge and obtaining a breadth and balance of different scientific viewpoints across the SACC and ad hoc peer reviewers. 

Nominations are due no later than 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register, via email to the SACC mailbox: SACC@epa.gov. 

The SACC serves as a scientific peer review mechanism of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. It provides independent scientific advice and recommendations to EPA on the scientific basis for risk assessments, methodologies and pollution prevention measures and approaches for chemicals regulated under TSCA. 

For more information, view the Federal Register notice or contact the Designated Federal Official, Alie Muneer, muneer.alie@epa.gov.