97-4783. Household Products Containing Petroleum Distillates and Other Hydrocarbons; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Request for Comments and Information  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 8659-8663]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-4783]
    
    
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    CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
    
    16 CFR Part 1700
    
    
    Household Products Containing Petroleum Distillates and Other 
    Hydrocarbons; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Request for 
    Comments and Information
    
    AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.
    
    ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC'' or 
    ``Commission'') has reason to believe that child-resistant packaging 
    may be needed to protect children from serious illness or injury from 
    products that contain either petroleum distillates or other 
    hydrocarbons or combinations of these ingredients. This advance notice 
    of proposed rulemaking (``ANPR'') initiates a rulemaking proceeding 
    under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (``PPPA''). Existing PPPA 
    standards require child-resistant packaging for some products that 
    contain petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons. The Commission 
    desires information on a variety of issues concerning products 
    containing petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons as it considers 
    the possibility of requiring child-resistant packaging for additional 
    consumer products that contain these substances.
        The Commission solicits written comments from interested persons 
    concerning the risks of injury or illness associated with household 
    products containing petroleum distillates and other hydrocarbons, the 
    regulatory alternatives discussed in this notice, other possible means 
    to address these risks, and the economic impacts of the various 
    regulatory alternatives.
    
    DATES: Written comments and submissions in response to this notice must 
    be received by the Commission by May 12, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed, preferably in five copies, to the 
    Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
    Washington, DC 20207-0001, or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, 
    Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, 
    Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-0800. Comments should be 
    captioned ``ANPR for Petroleum Distillates.''
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Barone, Directorate for 
    Epidemiology and Health Sciences, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
    Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0477, ext. 1196.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        1. Introduction. Petroleum distillates are a group of hydrocarbon-
    based chemicals that are refined from crude oil. Petroleum distillates 
    include gasoline, naphtha, mineral spirits, kerosene, paraffin wax, and 
    tar. They are the primary ingredient in many consumer products, 
    including certain furniture polishes, paint solvents, adhesives, and 
    automotive chemicals. As explained below, the presence of such 
    petroleum distillates in products may contribute to the products' 
    toxicity.
        A number of consumer products contain hydrocarbons that are not 
    petroleum distillates, but that can cause similar toxic effects. These 
    other hydrocarbons include substances such as benzene, toluene, xylene, 
    pine oil, turpentine, and limonene.
    
    [[Page 8660]]
    
        The toxicity of petroleum distillates and other hydrocarbons 
    affects the respiratory system. Aspiration of small amounts of these 
    chemicals directly into the lung, or into the lung during vomiting of 
    an ingested chemical, can cause chemical pneumonia, pulmonary damage, 
    and death. Petroleum distillates with low viscosity, such as gasoline, 
    kerosene, and mineral seal oil, possess the greatest potential for 
    aspiration.1
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        \1\ Liquids with high viscosity are thick and more like syrup, 
    while liquids with low viscosities are thin and more watery. See 
    Table 1.
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        As explained below, all household products that contain 10 percent 
    or more of petroleum distillates, or of benzene, toluene, xylene, or 
    turpentine, are required to have hazard warnings by regulations under 
    the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (``FHSA''). Some other products 
    that contain hydrocarbons may be required to be labeled by more general 
    FHSA requirements. Some, but not all, of these products are also 
    required to be in child-resistant packaging under PPPA regulations.
        The purpose of this notice is to commence a rulemaking proceeding 
    to examine whether additional products containing petroleum distillates 
    or other hydrocarbons should be in child-resistant packaging.2
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        \2\ The Commission voted 2-1 to approve publication of this 
    ANPR. Voting to approve were Chairman Ann Brown and Commissioner 
    Thomas Moore. Commissioner Mary Sheila Gall voted to develop a 
    Request for Information for publication in the Federal Register and 
    to utilize other available information sources instead of an ANPR. 
    Commissioner Gall also issued a statement concerning this vote. The 
    statement is available from the Office of the Secretary.
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    II. The Possible Need for Additional Regulation
    
         1. Poisoning information. The Commission evaluated pediatric 
    poisoning cases associated with product classes that are known to 
    include products that contain hydrocarbons, and that are not currently 
    required to be in child-resistant packaging. Such product areas include 
    adhesives, automotive chemicals, workshop chemicals, metal polishes, 
    spot removers, cleaning fluids, shoe polishes, and lubricants. The CPSC 
    staff reviewed data from various sources, including the National 
    Electronic Injury Surveillance System (``NEISS''), and the American 
    Association of Poison Control Centers' (``AAPCC'') Toxic Exposure 
    Surveillance System (``TESS'').
        According to NEISS, between 1990 and 1994 there was an annual 
    estimated average of about 2,300 emergency room visits of children 
    under 5 years of age associated with exposure to product categories 
    that are not required to be in child-resistant packaging and that 
    include products containing petroleum distillates. About 5 percent of 
    these cases resulted in hospitalization.
        Between October 1994 and May 1996, a CPSC contractor conducted 
    telephone investigations on incidents reported through NEISS that were 
    treated in hospital emergency rooms and involved children under 5 years 
    of age who had been exposed to products in the categories described 
    above. The telephone investigations produced 43 cases for analysis. Of 
    these, 18 involved petroleum distillates and 25 involved products 
    containing the hydrocarbon pine oil. Most of the incidents occurred in 
    the child's home. About 50 percent of the victims accessed the product 
    from its normal storage area rather than from another location. 
    Seventy-nine percent of the incidents involved products in the original 
    packaging. Most of these containers were reported to be non-child-
    resistant.
        In 1994, the Poison Control Centers (``PCC's) reported 5,791 
    exposures of children under 5 years of age that were attributed to 
    product categories that included only products that contain petroleum 
    distillates or other hydrocarbons. Of these, 1130 cases reported 
    symptoms, most of which were minor (exhibited some symptoms that were 
    minimally bothersome to the patient, i.e. the symptoms usually resolved 
    rapidly and usually involved skin or mucous membranes). Ninety-three of 
    these cases reported moderate outcomes (exhibited symptoms that were 
    more pronounced, more prolonged, or of more of a systemic nature than 
    minor symptoms). In addition, 7 cases reported major symptoms (life-
    threatening or resulted in significant residual disability or 
    disfigurement). A number of other PCC product categories may also 
    include products that contain petroleum distillates or other 
    hydrocarbons.
        The Commission is aware of 10 reported deaths since 1973 of 
    children under 5 following exposure to products that contained 
    petroleum distillates and for which child-resistant packaging is not 
    currently required. Six of these reports indicated that the deaths were 
    caused by chemical pneumonitis or aspiration.
        The death and injury data discussed above suggest that the safety 
    of young children could be improved if additional products that contain 
    petroleum distillates and other hydrocarbons are required to be 
    packaged in child-resistant packaging.
        2. Existing regulatory requirements.
        a. Applicable requirements under the Federal Hazardous Substances 
    Act (``FHSA''). The CPSC regulates the labeling of hazardous household 
    products under the FHSA, 15 U.S.C. 1261-1278. Currently, FHSA 
    regulations require specified aspiration hazard labeling for products 
    containing 10 percent or more by weight of benzene, toluene, xylene, or 
    petroleum distillates such as kerosene, mineral seal oil, naphtha, 
    gasoline, mineral spirits, Stoddard solvent, and ``related'' 
    distillates. 16 CFR 1500.14(a)(3), (b)(3). The label must bear the 
    signal word ``DANGER,'' the statement of hazard ``Harmful or fatal if 
    swallowed,'' and the statement ``Call physician immediately.'' 16 CFR 
    1500.14(b)(3). A similar labeling requirement applies to products 
    containing 10 percent or more of turpentine because of the aspiration 
    hazard. See 16 CFR 1500.14(b)(5).
    
    [[Page 8661]]
    
        In addition, section 2(p)(1) of the FHSA requires any household 
    product that is ``toxic'' to bear specified hazard labeling. 15 U.S.C. 
    1261(p)(1). Any product that presents an aspiration risk from 
    hydrocarbons is required to bear the labeling specified by section 
    2(p)(1), regardless of whether a regulation specifically applies to 
    that product.
        b. Applicable requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging 
    Act (``PPPA''). The CPSC also regulates the packaging of many household 
    products containing petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons under 
    the PPPA, 15 U.S.C. 1471-1476. PPPA regulations require that products 
    be sold in child-resistant packaging.
        Currently, some consumer products containing 10 percent or more by 
    weight of petroleum distillates, and with a viscosity less than 100 
    Saybolt Universal Seconds (``SUS'') at 100 deg.F, are subject to the 
    PPPA's child-resistant packaging standards. 3 The particular types 
    of petroleum distillate products that require child-resistant packaging 
    under the PPPA include (1) prepackaged liquid kindling and illuminating 
    preparations (e.g., lighter fluid) (16 CFR 1700.14(a)(7)), (2) 
    prepackaged solvents for paint or other similar surface-coating 
    materials (e.g., varnishes)(16 CFR 1700.14(a)(15)), and (3) nonemulsion 
    liquid furniture polish (16 CFR 1700.14(a)(2)). Child-resistant 
    packaging is also required for certain solvents containing 10 percent 
    or more of benzene, toluene, or benzene, and with a viscosity less than 
    100 SUS at 100 deg.F. 16 CFR 1700.14(a)(15). In addition, products 
    containing 10 percent or more of turpentine are required to be in 
    child-resistant packaging. 16 CFR 1700.14(a)(6).
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        \3\  Saybolt Universal Seconds is a measure of viscosity. The 
    higher the SUS, the more viscous the liquid.
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        c. Varying scope of the FHSA and PPPA regulations. While FHSA 
    labeling regulations apply generically to products that contain 10 
    percent or more petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons, only 
    certain specified products are required to be in child-resistant 
    packaging under the current PPPA regulations. Therefore, a number of 
    household products containing petroleum distillates or other 
    hydrocarbons are not required to be in child-resistant packaging. For 
    example, cleaning solvents, automotive chemicals, shoe care products, 
    and floor care products may contain large amounts of various petroleum 
    distillates. These products are not required to be sold in child-
    resistant packaging, but some of them are required to be labeled under 
    the FHSA. See 16 CFR 1500.14(a)(3), (b)(3).
        In addition, there are some anomalies under the current PPPA 
    regulations concerning which products are required to be in child-
    resistant packaging. For example, the existing standards require child-
    resistant packaging of prepackaged kerosene for use as lamp fuel. 16 
    CFR 1700.14(a)(7). However, a gun cleaning solvent that contains over 
    90 percent kerosene does not have this requirement. Mineral spirits 
    used as a paint solvent require child-resistant packaging, 16 CFR 
    1700.14(a)(15), but such packaging is not required for spot removers 
    containing 75 percent mineral spirits or water repellents containing 95 
    percent mineral spirits. Yet, all of these consumer products are 
    required by the FHSA to be labeled ``Harmful or fatal if swallowed.'' 
    16 CFR 1500.14(b)(3).
        A rule to require child-resistant packaging of all household 
    products that contain petroleum distillates and have specified 
    characteristics would create a more consistent regulatory approach and 
    afford greater protection against poisonings.
    
    III. Issues to be Considered During the Rulemaking
    
        During this rulemaking, the Commission will consider the following 
    major issues.
        1. Viscosity and percentage composition. As noted above, the PPPA's 
    child-resistant packaging standards currently apply to certain 
    specified consumer products containing 10 percent or more by weight of 
    petroleum distillates, and with a viscosity less than 100 SUS at 100 
    deg.F. Products associated with chemical pneumonia and death have had 
    viscosities below this level. Again, liquids with low viscosities are 
    more likely to be aspirated than more syrup-like liquids with high 
    viscosities.
        The Commission's staff collected a limited number of household 
    products that contain petroleum distillates and measured their 
    viscosities. The results are listed in Table 1.
    
     Table 1.--The Viscosities of Products Containing Petroleum Distillates 
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                                              PPPA                          
                                            Regulated   Viscosity (SUS @100 
                   Product                   (yes or         deg.F) \4\     
                                               no)                          
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    Motor oil (10W-30)...................          N   325       
    Heavy Mineral Oil....................          N   180                  
    Baby Oil.............................          N   70        
    Furniture Polish.....................          Y   40        
    Gasoline Treatment...................          N   35        
    Carburetor Cleaner...................          N   <32 \5\="" degreaser............................="" n=""><32 \4\="" lighter="" fluid.......................="" y=""><32 \4\="" ------------------------------------------------------------------------="" \4\="" the="" staff="" measured="" the="" viscosity="" at="" 100="" deg.f="" using="" a="" brookfield="" viscometer="" calibrated="" in="" centistokes="" (cs).="" the="" value="" was="" converted="" to="" sus="" using="" table="" 1="" of="" astm="" d="" 2161-93,="" standard="" practice="" for="" conversion="" of="" kinematic="" viscosity="" to="" saybolt="" universal="" viscosity="" or="" to="" saybolt="" furol="" viscosity.="" \5\="" there="" are="" no="" equivalent="" viscosities="" measured="" in="" sus="" for="" viscosities="" less="" than="" 1.8="" cs.="" the="" viscosity="" of="" 1.83="" cs="" is="" equivalent="" to="" 32="" sus.="" the="" staff's="" initial="" laboratory="" analysis,="" summarized="" in="" table="" 1,="" shows="" that="" lighter="" weight="" oils,="" including="" some="" baby="" oils,="" would="" be="" included="" in="" a="" regulation="" that="" required="" child-resistant="" packaging="" of="" all="" products="" containing="" at="" least="" 10="" percent="" petroleum="" distillates="" with="" a="" viscosity="" less="" than="" 100="" sus="" at="" 100="" deg.f.="" [[page="" 8662]]="" there="" are="" reported="" cases="" of="" lipoid="" pneumonia="" and="" deaths="" from="" aspiration="" of="" lubricants,="" including="" baby="" oil,="" a="" spray="" lubricant,="" chain="" saw="" oil,="" and="" trumpet="" valve="">6
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        \6\ Reyes De La Rocha, S. et al. Lipoid pneumonia secondary to 
    baby oil aspiration: a case report and review of the literature. 
    Pediatric Emergency Care, 1:74, 1985.
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        The Commission will consider whether a viscosity criterion should 
    be included in any regulation requiring child-resistant packaging for 
    products containing petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons. If 
    such a criterion is to be included, the Commission will also consider 
    at what level it should be set.
        2. Other hydrocarbons. The CPSC's FHSA regulations for petroleum 
    distillates require labeling of some products containing other 
    hydrocarbons, including products that contain 10 percent or more by 
    weight of benzene, toluene, or xylene. 16 CFR 1500.14(a)(3), (b)(3). 
    FHSA labeling is required because these substances have an aspiration 
    hazard similar to petroleum distillates.
        A number of household products contain low-viscosity hydrocarbons 
    other than petroleum distillates. These hydrocarbons include benzene, 
    toluene, xylene, and terpenes. For example, terpene hydrocarbons 
    derived from wood or fruit are in products such as turpentine, pine 
    oil, and limonene. Pine oil and limonene are found in cleaning products 
    and spot removers, as well as disinfectants. (Products marketed as 
    disinfectants are not regulated by the CPSC; they are regulated as 
    pesticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'').) Although 
    pine oil and limonene cleaning products and spot removers require FHSA 
    labeling, they are not currently required to be in child-resistant 
    packaging.
        The Commission will consider whether there is a need for a special 
    packaging standard applicable to products containing hydrocarbons other 
    than petroleum distillates.
        3. Aerosols. The PPPA regulation for furniture polish excludes 
    products in aerosol form. The rationale for excluding aerosol furniture 
    polishes was that aerosols would be addressed separately. 36 FR 18012 
    (September 8, 1971). However, there has been no further regulatory 
    action on aerosol furniture polishes.
        The child-resistant packaging requirements for paint solvents and 
    kindling and illuminating preparations do not specifically exempt 
    aerosol products. See 16 CFR 1700.14(a)(7), (a)(15). However, the 
    Commission is not aware of any paint solvent or liquid kindling or 
    illuminating fluid sold in an aerosol form.
        CPSC exposure data on aerosol products are limited.7 
    Inhalation of a spray lubricant has been associated with lipoid 
    pneumonia.8 The NEISS case investigation study, described above, 
    identified 4 percent of the cases as involving products in aerosol 
    form. However, none of the people in these aerosol cases was 
    hospitalized.
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        \7\ Nierenberg, D.W., et al. Mineral Spirits Inhalation 
    Associated with Hemolysis, Pulmonary Edema, and Ventricular 
    Fibrillation. Arch Intern Med, 151:14337, 1991. Rodriguez de la 
    Vega, A. et al. Kerosene-induced Asthma. Annals of Allergy, 64:362, 
    1990. Glynn, K.P. and Gale, N., Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia due to 
    Inhalation of Spray Lubricant, Chest, 97:1265, 1990.
        \8\ Id. (Glynn, 1990).
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        The cases described in the medical literature that resulted from 
    the inhalation of petroleum distillates from aerosols or vapors 
    involved prolonged or repeated exposure of adults. However, children 
    are subject to greater inhalation risks than are adults, for equal 
    exposure levels.9
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        \9\ Schiller-Scotland, C.F, et al. Experimental data for total 
    disposition in the respiratory tract of children. Toxicol. Lett., 
    72: 137, 1994.
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        The Commission will consider whether aerosol products should be 
    included within any regulation applicable to products containing 
    petroleum distillates and other hydrocarbons.
        4. Restricted flow. The PPPA regulation for liquid furniture polish 
    includes an additional requirement that no more than 2 milliliters of 
    product shall be obtained when the container is shaken, squeezed, or 
    activated once. 16 CFR 1700.14(a)(2). This requirement was included, in 
    part, because an open container of polish may be moved and used 
    multiple times throughout the house before the container is closed. 37 
    FR 5613 (March 17, 1972). Furniture polish is the only PPPA-regulated 
    substance with a restricted-flow requirement.
        The Commission will consider whether other products should be 
    subject to a restricted flow requirement.
    
    IV. Rulemaking Procedure
    
        In order to issue a regulation under the PPPA, the Commission would 
    have to find that ``the degree or nature of the hazard to children in 
    the availability of (petroleum distillates and other hydrocarbons), by 
    reason of (their) packaging, is such that special packaging is required 
    to protect children from serious personal injury or serious illness 
    resulting from handling, using, or ingesting such substance.'' 15 
    U.S.C. 1472(a)(1). The Commission would also have to find that child-
    resistant packaging ``is technically feasible, practicable, and 
    appropriate'' for products containing petroleum distillates or other 
    hydrocarbons. 15 U.S.C. 1472(a)(2).
        According to the PPPA's legislative history, ``technically 
    feasible'' means that technology exists to produce packaging that 
    conforms to the standards.10 ``Practicable'' means that special 
    packaging complying with the standards can utilize modern mass 
    production and assembly line techniques.11 ``Appropriate'' means 
    that packaging complying with the standards will adequately protect the 
    integrity of the substance and not interfere with its intended storage 
    or use.12
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        \10\ S. Rep. 845, 91st Cong., 2d Sess. 10 (1970).
        \11\ Id.
        \12\ Id.
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        In addition to the required findings, the Commission is required to 
    consider, but not necessarily make formal findings on, (a) the 
    reasonableness of the standard, (b) available scientific, medical, and 
    engineering data concerning special packaging and concerning childhood 
    accidental ingestions, illness, and injury caused by household 
    substances, (c) the manufacturing practices of industries affected by 
    the PPPA, and (d) the nature and use of the household substance. 15 
    U.S.C. 1472(b).
        A rulemaking proceeding under the PPPA is subject to the 
    requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. Therefore, the 
    proceeding can be commenced by publication of a notice of proposed 
    rulemaking (``NPR''), without having previously published an ANPR. 
    However, in this proceeding, the Commission is publishing an ANPR in 
    order to obtain additional information before deciding whether to 
    propose a special packaging standard for products that contain 
    petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons.
    
    V. Comments Requested Concerning the Scope of a Rule
    
        The Commission is seeking information on issues relevant to 
    defining the scope of any child-resistant packaging requirement for 
    products containing low-viscosity petroleum distillates and other 
    hydrocarbons. These issues include the following:
        1. What, if any, viscosity and/or percentage composition should be 
    used as a threshold for requiring products that contain petroleum 
    distillates to be in child-resistant packaging?
        2. Should aerosol products be included in a requirement for the 
    child-resistant packaging of products containing petroleum distillates 
    or other
    
    [[Page 8663]]
    
    hydrocarbons? The Commission seeks information on the possible effects 
    to a young child of a single acute exposure to an aerosol product 
    containing petroleum distillates.
        3. Should PPPA regulation extend only to petroleum distillates or 
    should such regulation also extend to other hydrocarbons, such as 
    benzene, toluene, xylene, turpentine, pine oil, and limonene?
        4. Should restricted flow be an additional requirement for certain 
    products?
    
    VI. Additional Requests for Information
    
        The Commission believes that information on the following issues 
    would also be helpful as it considers whether child-resistant packaging 
    should be required for the entire class of consumer products that 
    present an aspiration hazard because they contain petroleum distillates 
    or other hydrocarbons.
        1. Chemical properties. Information concerning the chemical 
    properties of individual consumer products that contain petroleum 
    distillates or other hydrocarbons will be used to compare products that 
    do not currently require child-resistant packaging with those that do. 
    The Commission requests information about the form (e.g., liquid or 
    aerosol), formulation (including the amount of each component), and 
    viscosity of each product.
        2. Users and use patterns. The Commission would like information 
    about consumer use patterns for various types of products containing 
    petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons. The Commission requests 
    information concerning: The intended use of the product (e.g., as a 
    shoe waterproofer, carpet cleaner, upholstery spot remover); the 
    location(s) where it is used (e.g., in a garage, a kitchen, a 
    bathroom); the frequency of use (e.g., daily, monthly, seasonally); how 
    long a package of the product is retained in the home (e.g., used just 
    once or stored for long periods between uses); and the location(s) 
    where it is stored when not in use. In addition, is the product used by 
    consumers (more than occasionally) or is the product only used in the 
    home by workers, such as repair or cleaning persons?
        3. Current packaging and labeling. Information about the packaging 
    of products that contain petroleum distillates will be used to assess 
    the technical feasibility, practicability, and appropriateness of 
    child-resistant packaging. The Commission requests information 
    describing current packaging, such as packaging sizes, container 
    material, closure material, closure design, and ASTM classification if 
    the package is child-resistant. Information is also requested about 
    whether the product has labels with warnings and instructions for use.
        4. Economic information. Economic information will be used to 
    evaluate the impact of requiring child-resistant packaging for all 
    products containing petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons. The 
    Commission requests information about sales of these products and about 
    the range of wholesale and retail prices. Further, the Commission seeks 
    comments on the expected cost of providing child-resistant packaging 
    for these products. In addition, the Commission requests information 
    about the potential impact that such child-resistant packaging 
    requirements would have on businesses, especially small businesses.
        5. Incident information. Although the Commission monitors data on 
    ingestions by young children of products that contain petroleum 
    distillates and other hydrocarbons, the Commission seeks additional 
    information about such poisoning incidents. This information will be 
    used to assess the extent of injury from different product 
    formulations. The Commission requests information concerning the 
    details of scenarios resulting in poisoning incidents, and the outcome 
    of the incident.
        Comments should be mailed, preferably in five copies, to the Office 
    of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 
    20207-0001, or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer 
    Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, 
    Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-0800. All comments and submissions 
    should be received no later than May 12, 1997.
    
    VII. Trade Secret or Proprietary Information
    
        Any person responding to this notice who believes that any 
    information submitted is trade secret or proprietary should identify 
    all such information at the time of submission. The Commission's staff 
    will receive and handle such information confidentially and in 
    accordance with section 6(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act 
    (``CPSA''), 15 U.S.C. 2055(a). Such information will not be placed in a 
    public file and will not be made available to the public simply upon 
    request. If the Commission receives a request for disclosure of the 
    information or concludes that its disclosure is necessary to discharge 
    the Commission's responsibilities, the Commission will inform the 
    person who submitted the information and provide that person an 
    opportunity to present additional information and views concerning the 
    confidential nature of the information. 16 CFR 1015.18(b).
        The Commission's staff will then make a determination of whether 
    the information is trade secret or proprietary information that cannot 
    be released. That determination will be made in accordance with 
    applicable provisions of the CPSA; the Freedom of Information Act 
    (``FOIA''), 5 U.S.C. 552b; 18 U.S.C 1905; the Commission's procedural 
    regulations at 16 CFR part 1015 governing protection and disclosure of 
    information under provisions of FOIA; and relevant judicial 
    interpretations. If any part of information that has been submitted 
    with a claim that the information is a trade secret or proprietary is 
    found to be disclosable, the person submitting the material will be 
    notified in writing and given at least 10 calendar days from the 
    receipt of the letter to seek judicial relief. 15 U.S.C. 2055(a) (5) 
    and (6); 16 CFR 1015.19(b).
    
        Dated: February 21, 1997.
    Sadye E. Dunn,
    Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
    [FR Doc. 97-4783 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/26/1997
Department:
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
97-4783
Dates:
Written comments and submissions in response to this notice must be received by the Commission by May 12, 1997.
Pages:
8659-8663 (5 pages)
PDF File:
97-4783.pdf
CFR: (1)
16 CFR 1700