Draft risk assessments have been announced by EPA under their new Work Plan to begin tackling 83 chemicals. These are open for public comment and will be peer-reviewed. EPA may or may not take action to restrict uses under TSCA after the assessments are completed. In the meantime, the press release says:
"EPA recommends the public follow product label directions and take precautions that can reduce exposures, such as using the product outside or in an extremely well ventilated area and wearing protective equipment to reduce exposure."
- even though the draft risk assessment says there is no concern for ATO and HHCB.
The chemicals are assessed for risks based on consumer products uses:
methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) and n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in paint stripper products - potential concern for human health acute and chronic risks
trichloroethylene (TCE) as a degreaser and a spray-on protective coating - potential concern for human health for small commercial and hobbyist degreaser users
antimony trioxide (ATO) as a synergist in halogenated flame retardants - low human exposure, low concern for ecological health
1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8,-hexamethylcyclopenta-[?]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) as a fragrance ingredient in commercial and consumer products - negligible human health risks of concern, low concern for ecological health
Read the detailed reports here.
EPA says it will get aggressive in using existing TSCA authorities on the assumption legislative TSCA reform isn't going to be resolved this Congress. We'll keep watching....
- Tags:
- action plans
- TSCA
- tsca work plans