Maine Revised Statutes Title 22. Health and Welfare § 1696. Hazardous air pollutants

A. Pure scientific considerations must govern the review and evaluation of potential health risks associated with chemical pollutants;

B. Scientific review and evaluation of potential health risks associated with potential hazardous air pollutants is an integral component of a successful hazardous air pollutant control program; and

C. The scientific review and evaluation is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Human Services which is charged with the protection of the public health and welfare and has the professional expertise to assess potential public health risks from chemical hazards.

A. Collect and consider the health data for substances or classes of substances which are under consideration for regulation as hazardous air pollutants by the Board of Environmental Protection;

B. Establish a protocol for the health risk review and evaluation of potentially hazardous air pollutants for the following parameters: Carcinogenicity; in vivo and in vitro mutagenicity; teratogenicity; reproductive effects; neurotoxicity; acute and chronic reversible and irreversible effects; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; high-risk groups; bioaccumulation; and atmospheric fate;

C. Report the health consequences of exposure to various ambient air concentrations indicating a range of risk levels for cancer-causing substances and the health consequences of exposure to various ambient air concentrations of noncancer-causing substances, after considering the adequacy of the data base, animal to human extrapolation, high-risk groups and any other health-based considerations; and

D. Report whether exposure to the substance should be considered for regulation by the Board of Environmental Protection to protect public health.

A. The bureau shall review or evaluate the potential health risks associated with potentially hazardous air pollutants at the request of:

B. Requests from parties other than those listed in this subsection shall be reviewed by the Director of the Bureau of Health and, if justified, shall be pursued. The director may assess any reasonable costs to the party making those requests.