New PSX Workshop: A Hands-On Approach to Understanding Supply Chain Data

On Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, Kelly Mayo-Bean will lead the full-day pre-conference PSX workshop titled “The US New Chemicals Program Paradigm Shift: Understanding the Importance of Supply Chain Information and Impacts to Exposure and Risk Assessment.” From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, this workshop will teach attendees to understand changes that affect the introduction of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act and about exposure and release models developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Here, Kelly answers questions about her career and the workshop.

PSX: First, could you please tell us a little about yourself and your background?

KMB: Prior to beginning my consulting career with ERM in 2018, I spent 15 years at the EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, where I supported the implementation of TSCA. TSCA focuses on the identification and management of chemical risks associated with the use of industrial chemicals. In the absence of empirical data to assess chemical risks under TSCA, EPA/OPPT creates and employs predictive models to assess chemical hazard and exposure characteristics. I managed the development of a number of these tools and administered the Sustainable Futures training program to educate stakeholders on the use of the models, the new chemical review process under TSCA, and screening-level risk assessment approaches. In my consulting work, I’m part of a team of product stewards and regulatory affairs specialists who use these tools to support regulatory submissions and promote sustainable design.

PSX: In 4-5 sentences, can you please summarize the subject of this workshop and your expertise in it?

KMB: EPA recently published a TSCA findings report highlighting the type of data most often missing from new chemical applications and found the largest data gap included information on the chemicals’ supply chains and associated worker exposures and environmental release points. This emphasizes the need for training workshops like this to educate industry on engineering terminology, supply chain development, and approaches to engaging customers and suppliers to collect the required data. As a former regulator, I believe training workshops benefit by including interactive, hands-on sessions, where you can see how EPA will use the data, that greatly enhance the educational experience and inform the way information should be communicated to regulators in the future.

PSX: What's your experience and involvement with the Product Stewardship Society and PSX?

KMB: I’m a new member of the Product Stewardship Society and this will be my first PSX Conference, and I’m excited to be joining this community! ERM is a sponsor for PSX 2022, so please stop by our booth and introduce yourself!

PSX: Who should attend this workshop?

KMB: This workshop is intended for stakeholders involved in product stewardship, risk assessment, or regulatory compliance. The course material is designed for attendees of all scientific backgrounds and with varying expertise levels, but participants should have some knowledge or experience in chemical regulations or risk assessment. The course will strengthen knowledge of general regulatory exposure assessment, demonstrate key components of a supply chain, and provide insight into the identification of personal protective equipment in the workplace, engineering control design, and development of hazard communication information. The session will also demonstrate use of the US EPA tools for exposure assessment.

PSX 2022 will be held Oct. 18–20 in Louisville, Kentucky. If you’re interested in attending the pre-conference workshop “The US New Chemicals Program Paradigm Shift: Understanding the Importance of Supply Chain Information and Impacts to Exposure and Risk Assessment,” learn more and consider registering at PSX.org. A separate registration fee is required to attend the workshops in addition to the fee for the main conference.