Contents FEB. 12, 2021 (click on page numbers for links) CONTACT US REGULATORY UPDATE subscribers@chemwatch. ASIA PACIFIC net Workplace exposure standard review .......................................................................4 tel +61 3 9572 4700 Model WHS Act comparison table now available ..................................................5 fax +61 3 9572 4777 Andrews government taken to court over West Gate Tunnel soil ...................6 1227 Glen Huntly Rd AMERICA Glen Huntly Three must-haves for managing these common hazardous- Victoria 3163 Australia materials returns ................................................................................................................7 Canada plastics pact launched .....................................................................................8 EPA announces approval of extensions to August 24, 2020, first- ever long-lasting antiviral product for use against COVID-19 ..........................9 EUROPE GB PIC: Annual reporting of exports and imports ...............................................10 Ventilation and air conditioning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ...........................................................................................................................11 * While Chemwatch EU launches beating cancer plan ..............................................................................12 has taken all efforts to INTERNATIONAL ensure the accuracy PAC launches PIP 360° benchmarking tool ............................................................13 of information in Kenya revises draft EPR regulation............................................................................14 this publication, it OECD will hold webinar on assessing the dispersion stability and is not intended to dissolution of nanomaterials in the environment ...............................................14 be comprehensive REACH UPDATE or to render advice. Propelling satellites into the future ..........................................................................16 Websites rendered are Towards sustainable outdoor shooting and fishing—ECHA subject to change. proposes restrictions on lead use..............................................................................17 JANET’S CORNER Regulations ........................................................................................................................20 Copyright Chemwatch 2021 © 1 Contents FEB. 12, 2021 Contents FEB. 12, 2021 HAZARD ALERT ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH ......................................................................................69 n-Hexane ............................................................................................................................21 OCCUPATIONAL................................................................................................................69 PHARAMACEUTICAL/TOXICOLOGY ..........................................................................69 GOSSIP The legal and illegal ways people are turning to psychedelics as the drug regulator rejects reclassification bid ..............................................................26 Chemists create and capture einsteinium, the elusive 99th element ..........30 Traffic noise impairs songbirds’ abilities ..................................................................33 New government report finds “toxic heavy metals” like arsenic and mercury in popular baby foods ..................................................................................35 Rolls-Royce tests 100% sustainable aviation fuel in small jet engine ..........37 Researchers develop biodegradable plastic using red seaweed ...................38 Horse tranquilizer emerges as new and deadly street drug in US ................40 Diabetes during pregnancy is tied to heart trouble later in life .....................41 Greenland is careening toward a critical tipping point for ice loss ...............42 The animals that ticks bite in the U.S. South can impact Lyme disease spread ..................................................................................................................45 CURIOSITIES In biblical times, purple was the new black ...........................................................48 How some drugs can turn into a cancer-causing chemical in the body .....48 Is it ok to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? Oxford researchers begin trial ...........................................................................................................................50 A new chameleon species may be the world’s tiniest reptile .........................51 South African coronavirus variant: All your questions answered ..................52 Marmosets eavesdrop on their neighbors—and judge them accordingly 55 ’Pile of rope’ on a Texas beach is a weird, real-life sea creature .......................57 COVID-19 precautions may be reducing cases of flu and other respiratory infections .....................................................................................................58 Therapy for the end of the world ...............................................................................61 In a warming world, it’s better to be a small mammal than a bird ................66 TECHNICAL NOTES (Note: Open your Web Browser and click on Heading to link to section) ...69 CHEMICAL EFFECTS ........................................................................................................69 Copyright Chemwatch 2021 © 2 Copyright Chemwatch 2021 © 3 Regulatory Update FEB. 12, 2021 Regulatory Update FEB. 12, 2021 ASIA PACIFIC The public consultation for the workplace exposure standards (WES) review (External link) will recommence on 1 February 2021 with Release Workplace exposure standard review 15: Paraffin wax to Zirconium compounds. Release 15 will also contain all reports deferred from previous releases. 2021-02-01 Safe Work Australia is evaluating the Workplace exposure standards for This date also marks the final date that feedback will be accepted on airborne contaminants to ensure they are based on the highest quality, previous releases 2-14. You can continue to submit your comments for contemporary evidence and supported by a rigorous scientific approach. these releases via our dedicated inbox [email protected] The draft evaluation reports and recommendations for the workplace until 1 February 2021. Please indicate the chemical/s that you are exposure standards (WES) are provided for your information. providing feedback for and whether your feedback is for yourself or on behalf of your organisation. Each report includes: You will be able to provide feedback for Release 15: Paraffin wax to a recommended WES value Zirconium compounds until 30 July 2021 after which time feedback and information about the basis of the recommendation, and recommendations will be finalised. a summary of the data relied upon to make the recommendation. Subscribe to the chemical exposure standards mailing list (External link) The draft evaluation The recommended WES values are health-based recommendations made to stay informed about the progress of the WES review. Some jurisdictions reports and recom- by expert consultants using the agreed methodology (External link) Read More have made minor mendations for the developed by Safe Work Australia, and have been independently peer Safe Work Australia, 1st February 2021 variations to their workplace exposure reviewed. WHS Act to make it standards (WES) https://engage.swa.gov.au/workplace-exposure-standards-review We would like your feedback on these values, in particular, comments of a consistent with other are provided for technical nature regarding: Model WHS Act comparison table now available laws and processes. the toxicological information and data that the value is based upon, and your information. 2020-12-15 Safe Work Australia has published a table comparing the model the measurement and analysis information provided. Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and the WHS Acts adopted by the We are seeking comments of a technical nature on the draft evaluation harmonised jurisdictions. reports and recommendations for the workplace exposure standards The table outlines the similarities and differences between the WHS Acts. throughout the project. Some jurisdictions have made minor variations to their WHS Act to make it The workplace exposure standards currently open for feedback are listed consistent with other laws and processes. below. Businesses that operate in more than one jurisdiction can use the Your feedback is important for Safe Work Australia Members in making comparison table to identify how the relevant WHS Acts differ. recommendations to Work Health and Safety (WHS) Ministers about any Most jurisdictions have implemented the model WHS Act. Western changes to the workplace exposure standards. Changes to the workplace Australia has implemented the model WHS Act but it will not commence exposure standards only become mandatory once agreed by a majority of operation until regulations are finalised. The model WHS Act has not been WHS Ministers and adopted in the WHS laws in the Commonwealth, states implemented in Victoria. and territories. Copyright Chemwatch 2021 © 4 Copyright Chemwatch 2021 © 5 Regulatory Update FEB. 12, 2021 Regulatory Update FEB. 12, 2021 The table will be updated periodically in consultation with jurisdictions, for AMERICA example, to reflect any amendments to the model WHS Act or jurisdiction WHS Acts. Three must-haves for managing these common Read More