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Managing Chemical Risk
Announcements
October 21, 2011 -- EPA issued several actions under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) addressing 60 high production volume (HPV) chemicals:
- Final rule that requires manufacturers to test the health and environmental effects of 15 high production volume (HPV) chemicals
- Proposal that would require manufacturers to test the health and environmental effects of 23 HPV chemicals
- Proposal that would require companies to notify EPA prior to new uses of an additional 22 chemicals that are widely used in commerce.
Read more about these actions.
EPA held a webinar on September 7, 2011 and opened an online discussion forum for comment from August 18 through September 21, 2011 to get input on the prioritization factors and data sources the Agency plans to use to identify priority chemicals for review and possible risk management action under TSCA. Learn how to participate.
EPA manages risks from existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and encourages pollution prevention under the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) through both regulatory and voluntary programs.
Programs and Actions
On September 29, 2009, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that EPA is initiating a comprehensive approach to enhance the Agency’s current chemicals management program within the limits of existing authorities. Read about all the efforts that are part of Enhancing Existing Chemicals Management Under TSCA.
As part of this enhancement, EPA is publishing Existing Chemical Action Plans
describing EPA’s evaluations of chemicals that pose a concern to the public. These Action Plans outline the risks that the use of a chemical may present and what specific steps EPA will take to address those concerns. EPA anticipates publishing additional action plans at four-month intervals. Chemicals for which action plans have been posted include:
- Benzidine Dyes
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
- Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI)
- Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
- Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)
- Penta, octa, and decabromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in products
- Phthalates
- Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
- Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI)
Regulatory measures already taken under TSCA apply to specific chemical substances and often involve coordination with other Federal agencies or with other laws administered by EPA. Each of the chemical names listed below is a link to the specific page on the EPA website where you can find a description of the EPA activity on the specific chemical substances.
- Asbestos
- Formaldehyde
- Glymes
- HPV Unsponsored Chemicals (SNUR, test rules, Section 8(a)/8(d) Rules)
- Lead
- Mercury
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
EPA also uses voluntary programs to encourage both pollution prevention and risk reduction. Some of these programs apply to a wide variety of chemicals and industries.
Design for the Environment (DfE) works in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce risk to people and the environment by preventing pollution. The DfE Safer Product Labeling Program empowers consumers to make informed choices about safer household and cleaning products by allowing the use of its logo on products. This program also offers manufacturers assistance in selecting safer chemicals for cleaning products.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) helps the federal government "buy green," and in doing so, uses the federal government's enormous buying power to stimulate market demand for green products and services.
Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.
The 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program involves a global commitment by eight major companies to reduce both facility emissions and product content of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by 95 percent by 2010, and to work toward elimination of the chemical by 2015.
EPA is hosting a webinar on September 7, 2011 and opening an online discussion forum for comment from August 18 through September 14, 2011 to get input on the prioritization factors and data sources the Agency plans to use to identify priority chemicals for review and possible risk management action under TSCA. Learn how to participate.
Relevant Sections of TSCA
Specific sections of TSCA grant authority for EPA to require risk management measures, provide for the coordination of activities under TSCA with other Federal agencies and with other laws administered by EPA, and give citizens the opportunity to petition for action.
TSCA Section 4 provides that EPA can issue rules to require companies to generate hazard and exposure information through specific tests or measurements on chemicals in certain circumstances.
TSCA Section 5(a) Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) can be used to require notice to EPA before either new or existing chemical substances and mixtures are used in new ways that might create concerns.
TSCA Section 5(b)(4) provides that EPA can compile and keep current a list of chemical substances that present or may present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.
TSCA Section 6 provides for the regulation of hazardous existing chemical substances and mixtures.
TSCA Section 9 governs the relationship of TSCA to other Federal laws.
TSCA Section 21 allows citizens to petition EPA to take specific regulatory actions on chemicals and mixtures under TSCA.
