EPA Releases Draft Risk Evaluations for Initial Chemicals Undergoing Evaluation Under Amended TSCA

On July 1, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of draft risk evaluations for two substances that are among the initial chemicals for which risk evaluations are being conducted under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Background

With its amending via the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Section 6 of TSCA dictates that the EPA must conduct risk evaluations to determine if a chemical poses an unreasonable risk to health or the environment under its use conditions, including whether the chemical presents an unreasonable risk to potentially susceptible or exposed subpopulations. The first 10 chemicals slated for risk evaluation by the Agency include:

  • Asbestos
  • 1-Bromopropane
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • 1, 4 Dioxane
  • Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster (HBCD)
  • Methylene Chloride
  • N-Methylpyrrolidone
  • Perchloroethylene
  • Pigment Violet 29
  • Trichloroethylene

The Chemicals

Cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD) and 1,4-dioxane, are among the initial chemicals for which risk evaluations are being released by the EPA.

Chemical NameDescription and Key FactsInitial Risk Determination from EPA
cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD)
  • Flame retardant used largely in construction materials (e.g., structural insulated panels).
  • Has experienced significantly decreased use with the implementation of replacement chemicals.
  • No unreasonable risks for the general population, including children and consumers.
  • No unreasonable risks to workers or occupational non-users.
  • No unreasonable environmental risk for all use conditions included in the draft risk evaluation.
1,4-dioxane
  • Solvent used largely in commercial and industrial applications (e.g., chemical manufacturing, processing).
  • Has experienced significantly decreased production, with little to no reported consumer use.
  • No unreasonable risks to occupational non-users (workers in the vicinity of 1,4-dioxane use but not in direct contact with the chemical).
  • Unreasonable risks to workers in certain circumstances.
  • No unreasonable environmental risk for all use conditions included in the draft risk evaluation.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

In the case of both chemicals, the Agency has noted that its initial risk determinations may be revised as its assessments become increasingly refined.

Staying Up to Date

To stay up to date on the EPA’s recent efforts regarding chemical risk evaluations, visit the Environmental Protection Agency website. Also, to access additional, detailed risk information on these chemical substances and a multitude of others, contact ToxPlanet and register for a Free Trial of our robust information solutions.