Emerging Contaminants Program Basics
The mission of the Chemical and Material Risk Management (CMRM) Program is to protect readiness, people and the environment by identifying and managing risks associated with the chemicals and materials DoD uses. We do this by enabling more effective management of current and future risks from chemicals and, in so doing, we lower lifecycle costs, drive innovation, and avoid the need for future crisis-driven retooling to comply with new regulations.
What We Do
- Scan the horizon and identify chemicals or materials that either lack human health standards or have an evolving science and regulatory status — these are called “emerging contaminants.”
- Determine which of these chemicals and materials DoD uses, or plans to use, and how we use them.
- Assess the impacts of the science, toxicity, or regulatory changes on people, the environment, and DoD business functions and mission.
- Collaborate with stakeholders within DoD and externally to mitigate the risks.
- Develop policies, procedures and guidance for integrating lifecycle environment, safety and Health considerations into the DoD acquisition process.
- Develop policies, procedures and guidance for chemical management and promote green procurement across the enterprise.
- Integrate science, technology, and policy to pursue sustainable use of chemicals and materials.
Why We Do It
- Protect people and the environment.
- Protect vital DoD functions and applications.
- Reduce lifecycle costs of weapons systems, platforms, equipment, and facilities.
How We Do It
- Collaborate with multiple DoD Components and offices.
- Build consensus on risks and spotlight actions and investments needed to minimize risks for decision-makers. Catalyze change by providing avenues for DoD to move toward more environmentally protective and sustainable practices.
- Partner and collaborate with other agencies, industry, state organizations, academia, and non-governmental organizations to achieve common objectives.
Chemical & Material Emerging Risk Alert for 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) (PDF)
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists proposes to lower the threshold limit value-time-weighted average from 10 parts per million (ppm) to 0.1 ppm. If implemented, this change presents a risk to certain DoD industrial operations and may require actions to meet occupational health standards.
Chemical & Material Emerging Risk Alert for Phthalates (PDF)
In response to regulatory pressures and resulting market changes, some phthalates are being phased-out of production. Unique defense or mission-critical phthalates, or products containing phthalates, may not be available.
Chemical & Material Emerging Risk Alert for Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE) (PDF)
International and Federal regulatory pressures are resulting in a phase-out of one of the world’s most widely used flame retardants. Components in DoD combat systems could be affected.
Chemical & Material Emerging Risk Alert for AFFF (PDF)
Some legacy Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)formulations contain chemicals that present human health and environmental risks and require special handling and disposal.
Chemical & Material Emerging Risk Alert for Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) (PDF)
While the human health and environmental risks related to hexavalent chromium have been known for years, new scientific studies and risk assessments are resulting in even stricter standards that may result in higher life cycle costs for processes, controls and monitoring.
Chemical & Material Emerging Risk Alert for Lead (PDF)
Revised Blood Reference Value for Lead New information about the health effects associated with lead exposure influence blood lead levels (BLLs) of concern for adults and children. The resulting progressively lower BLLs may impact air quality standards, soil screening concentrations, and occupational exposure limits.