OEHHA Proposes Changes to No Significant Risk Level for 4-MEI

California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has issued a notice indicating that it has changed the proposed regulation establishing a No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) for 4-MEI and augmented the record with additional references.

The new proposed NSRL is 29 micrograms per day, increased from the proposed 16 micrograms per day level. The chemical, 4 Methylimidazole, has been identified as a by-product of fermentation, heating or roasting in certain foods and beverages, such as coffee, some carbonated beverages, beer and wine, soy sauce, molasses and crackers. Comments are requested by October 24, 2011.