Identify Tribal Exposures to Toxics (To think about) What are the hazardous products and chemicals in your community that you are concerned about? What are your concerns about them? What information do you and your tribal council need to know to call in to an EPA consultation? [note;: Maybe we don’t put all these questions up, but give these to Rhonda for asking the audience? Also. Thinking about how to gather these comments, by having the audience write down key words and put on the “sticky wall”]

First we see the picture from the cover of Understanding Tribal Exposures to Toxics Then the foods picture appears Then the NTTC logo appears Then we go to the next slide The National Tribal Toxics Council presented at the Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Management October 25, 2016 1

The National Tribal Toxics Council (NTTC) Who is the NTTC? What is the NTTC? What does it do? Why does this work matter? What can you do? What are your concerns? This is what we’ll cover Raise your hand if you have ever heard of the National tribal toxics council before now?

NTTC Members Chartered council, of about 12 members plus alternates Representatives of federally-recognized tribal governments and inter-tribal consortia Some of them are here today: INTRODUCE SELVES

NTTC Members See list in distributed NTTC Brochure. This is were the current members are located, with Alaska on the lower right Selection based on diversity of geography and expertise, striving for a broad range of perspectives to further the NTTC’s mission Also, invite ex-officio members, experts in their fields to assist the Council on technical matters, outreach and tribal engagement See list in distributed NTTC Brochure.

What is the NTTC? A way for tribes to have greater input on issues related to toxic chemicals and pollution prevention. A forum to advise EPA on chemical management and pollution prevention programs that affect tribes. An EPA Tribal Partnership Group (TPG) started in 2012

What does the NTTC Do? Identify tribal exposures to toxics Encourage tribes to voice their concerns with toxics and pollution Enhance tribal consultation and collaboration Network, collaborate and provide outreach Identify tribal exposures to toxics

Understanding Tribal Exposure to Toxics Delivered to EPA Administrator McCarthy in June 2015 Requested that EPA institutionalize a process to consider tribal exposure in risk assessments First step to identifying the state of toxics affecting tribes [note: the following are notes from the presentation to EPA in April. May want to reword for ATCEM presentation\ Tribal members can be more highly exposed because of activities closely associated with environmental media When EPA examines the risk to human health and the environment from chemicals, it does not currently considered that tribal members are more exposed to toxic chemicals than the general population Tribal exposure should be considered for all persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemicals Tribal exposure must be considered at the beginning of the risk assessment process during problem formulation and the initial assessment phase Adequate funding for determining tribal exposure to Work Plan Chemicals needs to be complete before assessments begin

Why does this NTTC work matter? Tribal members are impacted by toxics in consumer products and in the environment more than any other group in the U.S. We know that tribal lifeways are not historical relics!

Why does this NTTC work matter? Two key laws that regulate the chemicals in products we buy Pollution Prevention Act and Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA) EPA manages programs for these two laws and funds the NTTC’s work (sounds like toss-kuh)

U.S. Laws that Regulate Chemicals U.S. Chemical Universe Industrial Chemicals ~82,000 Chemicals Allowed in U.S. commerce Pesticides ~2000 Chemicals of Active Ingredients Regulated by EPA Requires experimental data From Stan Barone’s presentation. Emphasizes how many chemicals are regulated under TSCA, 95% of all of them. Drugs, Cosmetics, Food Additives ~2,000 Active Ingredients Food & Drug Administration Requires experimental data Regulated by the EPA Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 95%

Pollution Prevention Act Regulates pollution prevention (P2) through source reduction: prevent & reduce the amount of pollution entering the environment through manufacturing, and through improved efficiency & cost-effective changes in production, operation, and use of raw materials.  These two laws are so important to understand so that tribes can participate in EPA consultations, and make an impact on how toxic chemicals are regulated in the U.S. [note there is animation in this slide to emphasize the importance, and to emphasize that these apply to manufacturing of chemicals in commerce. Also need to talk about “chemicals in commerce’: what are they?

Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA) Regulates production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals. These two laws are so important to understand so that tribes can participate in EPA consultations, and make an impact on how toxic chemicals are regulated in the U.S. [note there is animation in this slide to emphasize the importance, and to emphasize that these apply to manufacturing of chemicals in commerce. Also need to talk about “chemicals in commerce’: what are they?

TSCA of 1976, Amended in 2016 Chemicals in the products that we buy: cleaning agents, fabrics, plastics, paint thinners, etc. Laundry detergent Mattresses Fabric & foam in furniture Children’s pajamas Lead-based paint Household cleaners Motor oil, degreasers Aircraft Silicone, caulk Asbestos Disposal is really important for tribes. Think about all of the unlined landfills in Alaska villages. There’s also a lot of illegal dumping on Indian reservations across the country. What about all the commercial products that get disposed of in these ways? Lindaine example

TSCA of 1976, Amended in 2016 Significant, positive amendments after 40 years Finally required to evaluate the safety of existing chemicals in commercial products Starts with chemicals most likely to cause risks. New Risk-Based Safety Standard: Must consider risks to susceptible and highly exposed populations  Tribes Evaluating existing chemicals is a big deal! This was not allowable under the original TSCA. (does this mean that products that are allowed a small amount of pcb’s in them have to be re-evaluated?) This new risk-based safety standard is also a really big deal! Finally, tribes must be considered

What can you do? Use your power as a consumer to make green chemistry choices at work and home Research and use non-toxic cleaning products When you need something more: ACAT.org Zendergroup.org Epa.gov/saferchoice Baking soda White vinegar Hydrogen peroxide Lemon juice and rind Essential oils

What can you do? Sign up for the NTTC email list serve for information, Draft consultation response letters Fill in tribal data gaps on toxin levels in subsistence food Generate tribal resolutions that demand tribal representation in risk assessments Request funding for local tribal data collection to inform national databases

QUESTIONS ?

Identify Tribal Exposures to Toxics Information Gathering What are the hazardous products and chemicals in your community that you are concerned about? What are your concerns about them? What information do you and your tribal council need to know to call in to an EPA consultation?

Prioritize Pick your most concerning hazardous products and chemicals. Pick your most important concerns.

See our Brochure for these email and website addresses NTTC email listserv: nationaltribaltoxicscouncil@zendergroup.org www.tribaltoxics.org