Sustainable Futures

Sustainable Futures Training Workshops

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How to get training

Sustainable Futures training workshops are open to the public and EPA encourages companies to host a Sustainable Futures workshop. This website provides all materials for training and can be used in conjunction with a predefined two and one-half day agenda that covers training on each of the models and methods that EPA uses. Training is open to any public stakeholder.

Companies interested in graduating from Sustainable Futures must demonstrate an understanding of the scope, applicability, proper interpretation, and limitations of pollution prevention and chemical-hazard and exposure screening tools.

The first workshop for 2017 will be cosponsored by the U.S. EPA and Critical Path Services.

Additional sessions for 2017 are currently being planned. Tentative locations and dates are:

  • July 25 – 27, 2017, in Research Triangle Park, NC
  • October 24 – 26, 2017, location TBD

If you are interested in training and would like to be notified when the registration site is available, please contact Kelly Mayo (mayo.kelly@epa.gov).

Participants are asked to bring their own laptop computers pre-loaded with the EPA models for the hands-on portions of the workshop. The models that will be used in the workshop can be downloaded for free from the Predictive Models and Tools for Assessing Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) website.

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What is included in training?

The typical training session covers all areas of hazard, exposure, and risk assessment using EPA predictive tools. The sessions feature hands-on experience in use of the Sustainable Futures models and methods lead by the model developers or EPA staff with experience in the application and interpretation of the tools.

Instructors will use presentations to discuss what each method does, describe the method inputs, how to interpret results, and how the results are used in an assessment.

See this sample agenda for the three-day Sustainable Futures training workshop.

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How to become a co-sponsor

If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please contact Kelly Mayo at 202-564-7662 or send an e-mail to mayo.kelly@epa.gov. The financial and in-kind contributions made by each sponsor can vary depending on the size of the class, location, registration fees, availability of trainers, etc. Each sponsor must be willing to enter into a co-sponsorship agreement with EPA in order to host a workshop, and the parameters of such an agreement can be negotiated.

Previous Sustainable Futures workshop co-sponsors are:

Ashland, Inc.
California Environmental Protection Agency
ChemADVISOR
Chevron
Clariant
Consortium for Environmental Risk Management (CERM)
Cytec Industries
Dow Chemical
Exponent, Inc.
Givaudan Inc.
International Flavors and Fragrances
L'Oreal Cosmetics
NALCO Champion, An EcoLab Company
Proctor & Gamble
Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA)
Stepan Company
Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®)
George Washington University School of Law

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Materials developed by EPA

EPA developed training materials for use in the three-day hands-on training sessions. Sustainable Futures Partners and other interested stakeholders are free to use these materials, which include two samples of completed assessments using the methods.

The training presentations discuss what each method does and describe the method inputs, how to interpret results, and how the results are used in an assessment. Also included are assistance in interpreting model estimations and examples of the kinds of information the Agency would like to see included in a Sustainable Futures premanufacture notice (PMN).

Here is a list of the presentations used during the hands-on Sustainable Futures training. For PDF copies of the presentations please contact Kelly Mayo (mayo.kelly@epa.gov) at the EPA.

  • EPA's New Chemicals Program and Sustainable Futures
  • Introduction to Predictive Models
  • EPISuite - Physical-Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate
  • ECOSAR - Aquatic Toxicity/Hazard Assessment
  • PBT Profiler - PBT Chemical Screening
  • Non-Cancer Health Effects
  • Analog Identification Methodology
  • OncoLogic - Cancer Health Hazard
  • ChemSTEER - Occupational Exposures and Environmental Releases
  • E-FAST - General Population Exposure and Surface Water Releases
  • Screening Level Risk Characterization
  • Additional - General Guidance on the Assessment of Polymers

Get information on these predictive tools.

EPA has developed two sample worksheets to assist participants in combining results from the Sustainable Futures methods into summary level risk assessments:

EPA has also developed two examples of completed Sustainable Futures worksheets for the sample chemicals used during training to illustrate the Sustainable Futures methods.

Two sample chemicals:

These documents provide assistance in interpreting the estimations provided by the Sustainable Futures methods and in assigning concern levels based on the EPA's New Chemicals Program criteria:

Additional general information on how polymers are assessed in EPA's New Chemicals Program.

Sustainable Futures / P2 Framework Manual

Extensive information on the Sustainable Futures / Pollution Prevention Framework methods is available in the Sustainable Futures / P2 Framework Manual. EPA has updated the manual to include most of the training materials that are currently available.

Included in the updated manual are the Sustainable Futures Summary Assessment Worksheet for the sample chemical isodecyl acrylate (CAS RN 1330-61-6) and a Sustainable Futures PMN submission for isodecyl acrylate. When referencing the manual, please use the citation: Sustainable Futures / Pollution Prevention (P2) Framework Manual, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OCSPP, EPA-748-B12-001. Sept. 2012.

See the Sustainable Futures / P2 Framework Manual (pages can be downloaded as files from the manual).

Sustainable Futures participants are asked to include the kinds of information recorded in either:

A "Sustainable Futures PMN example" has been developed using the chemical isodecyl acrylate (CAS 1330-61-6) to illustrate the kinds of information to be included in a Sustainable Futures PMN. The example is for illustration only. [Please note, this example of a PMN submitted under Sustainable Futures is not section 508 compliant.] If you need assistance, you may contact Maggie Johnson, (johnson.maggie@epa.gov or 202-564-8924) or Kelly Mayo, (mayo.kelly@epa.gov or 202-564-7662).

See the Sustainable Futures PMN example.

REMINDER: Do not bring any confidential business information (CBI) to the workshops.

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