2005 Texas Health & Safety Code CHAPTER 503. HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND HARMFUL PHYSICAL AGENTS

HEALTH & SAFETY CODE

CHAPTER 503. HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND HARMFUL 
PHYSICAL AGENTS


	§ 503.001. DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                                   
		(1)  "Board" means the Texas Board of Health.                                 
		(2)  "Committee" means the Toxic Substances 
Coordinating Committee.         
		(3)  "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.                       
		(4)  "Harmful physical agent" means a physical 
phenomenon, other than a toxic substance, that has or may have 
carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or other harmful effects on 
humans, and includes:
			(A)  ionizing radiation, X-rays, gamma rays, 
ultraviolet light, or other electromagnetic radiation;  and
			(B)  acoustical, thermal, or mechanical 
vibration.                         
		(5)  "Health risk assessment" means the use of 
objective data to characterize the potential adverse health effects 
that exposure to a toxic substance or a harmful physical agent may 
have on a person.
		(6)  "Toxic substance" means a substance that has or 
may have toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or other 
harmful effects on humans, and includes a product that contains a 
toxic substance that poses or may pose a substantial hazard to human 
health.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 503.002. TOXIC SUBSTANCES COORDINATING COMMITTEE.  (a) 
The Toxic Substances Coordinating Committee is composed of one 
representative from the:
		(1)  department;                                                              
		(2)  Department of Agriculture;                                               
		(3)  Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission;                          
		(4)  Parks and Wildlife Department;                                           
		(5)  Department of Public Safety;  and                                        
		(6)  Railroad Commission of Texas.                                            
	(b)  The chief administrative officer of each agency shall 
appoint the agency representative to the committee.  A 
representative serves at the will of the chief administrative 
officer or until the representative terminates employment with the 
agency, whichever occurs first.
	(c)  The representative of the department serves as chairman 
of the committee.
	(d)  The department shall provide administrative support to 
the committee.   

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Amended 
by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, § 11.250, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


	§ 503.003. MEETINGS;  NOTICE.  (a) The committee shall 
meet:              
		(1)  at the call of the chief administrative officer of 
any member agency;  or
		(2)  at least once each quarter on a meeting date set by 
the committee.     
	(b)  The committee must provide public notice of the meeting 
date not later than the 15th day before the date on which the 
committee holds the meeting.
	(c)  The committee shall adopt rules for the conduct of its 
meetings.        

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 503.004. DUTIES OF COMMITTEE.  (a) The committee shall 
coordinate communication among member agencies concerning each 
agency's efforts to regulate toxic substances and harmful physical 
agents.
	(b)  The committee shall develop a plan that provides for:                     
		(1)  intergovernmental cooperation concerning 
regulations to prevent and control the adverse health effects of 
toxic substances and harmful physical agents; 
		(2)  a health risk assessment of emergency responses to 
accidents involving toxic substances or harmful physical agents; 
		(3)  the coordination of agency programs relating to 
the prevention and control of adverse health effects resulting from 
exposure to toxic substances or harmful physical agents; 
		(4)  the establishment of an integrated system to 
collect and manage information relating to toxic substances and 
harmful physical agents;  and
		(5)  public education concerning the use of toxic 
substances and harmful physical agents and the potential adverse 
health effects.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 503.005. HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENTS.  (a) In its capacity 
to protect the public health, the department shall coordinate 
health risk assessments conducted under this chapter.
	(b)  Each agency represented on the committee shall consult 
with and advise the department concerning health risk assessment 
activities when beginning a health risk assessment.  The agency 
shall consult with and advise the department when taking the action 
in an emergency or as soon as possible after taking the action.  
This section does not require department approval of the agency's 
action or health risk assessment.
	(c)  Each agency represented on the committee shall use 
federal standards and health risk assessments, if appropriate, and 
avoid duplicating federal efforts.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 503.006. POWERS OF DEPARTMENT.  (a) The department may 
establish an information management system and may collect and 
evaluate information relating to the use of toxic substances and 
harmful physical agents.
	(b)  The department may enter into agreements or contracts 
with federal, state, or local governmental entities, planning 
regions, and other public or private entities to implement this 
chapter.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.                    


	§ 503.007. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.  This chapter does not 
amend or affect the regulatory activities or procedures authorized 
under other law.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.