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Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins Action Plan Summary

Announcements

February 8, 2012 -- A federal enforcement action requires Dover Chemical to pay $1.4 million and to cease manufacturing certain PBT chemicals, known as short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), and to submit pre-manufacture notices to EPA for various medium- and long-chain chlorinated paraffins, which also are persistent and bioaccumulative. SCCPs are used in metalworking operations, as plasticizers and flame retardants in plastics, and as an additive in paints. Read more and read the press release.

What chemicals are addressed in the Action Plan?

For purposes of this action plan, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) include all individual chemicals or mixtures that contain: CxH(2x-y+2)Cly
where x = 10-13; y = 3-12; and
the average chlorine content ranges from approximately 40 to 70 percent with the limiting molecular formulas set at C10H19Cl3 and C13H16Cl12.

SCCPs are used as lubricants and coolants in metal cutting and metal forming operations and as secondary plasticizers and flame retardants in plastics.

EPA intends to further evaluate whether medium-chain (MCCPs) and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (LCCPs) also should be addressed. These chemicals appear to present similar concerns, although data on them are not as comprehensive as data on SCCPs.

Why is EPA concerned about these chemicals?

SCCPs are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations. They can remain in the environment for a significant amount of time and can bioaccumulate in animal tissues, increasing the probability and duration of exposure. Even relatively small releases of these chemicals from individual manufacturing, processing, or waste management facilities have the potential to accumulate over time to higher levels and cause significant adverse impacts on the environment.

SCCPs have been measured in a variety of environmental media including air, sediment, surface waters, and wastewater. SCCPs have also been measured in a variety of biota, including freshwater aquatic species, marine mammals, and avian and terrestrial wildlife. In addition, SCCPs have been detected in samples of human breast milk from Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as in a variety of food items from Japan and various regions of Europe.

What action is EPA taking?

In conducting its review of these chemicals, EPA determined that some of the specific SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs currently being manufactured and/or used in the United States are not on the TSCA Inventory. Any substance that is not on the TSCA Inventory is classified as a new chemical. Prior to manufacture or import of a new chemical for general commercial use, a notice must be filed with EPA under TSCA section 5.

EPA intends to address the discrepancy between the specific chlorinated paraffins companies are actually manufacturing or importing and those listed on the TSCA Inventory. EPA intends to require companies to submit Pre-Manufacture Notices for the SCCP, MCCP, and LCCP fractions that are not on the TSCA Inventory and, if appropriate, would initiate action under TSCA section 5 to address their potential risks.

Concurrently, EPA intends to initiate action under TSCA section 6(a) to ban or restrict the manufacture, import, processing or distribution in commerce, export, and use of SCCPs based on the persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity of SCCPs and their presence in the environment.

EPA intends to further evaluate whether the manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, use and/or disposal of MCCPs and LCCPs should also be addressed under TSCA section 6(a).

As part of the Agency's efforts to address SCCPs, EPA also intends to evaluate the potential for disproportionate impact on children and other sub-populations.

Download the complete Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) Action Plan (PDF), 10 pages, 124 KB, About PDF

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