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TSCA
At the end of July, the US government took further measures to regulate hazardous chemical substances.
The following five substances are to undergo a prioritized risk assessment by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- Vinyl chloride (CASRN 75-01-4),
- acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0),
- acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1),
- benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3), and
- 4,4′-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4)
The background to this is that these five substances are suspected of causing cancer. They are used in the manufacture of plastics. All five chemicals were selected from the 2014 TSCA Work Plan. This is a list of chemicals selected by the EPA for further evaluation based on their hazard and exposure potential.
Prioritization is the first step in the EPA’s authority to regulate existing chemicals. If this assessment is confirmed, the agency must complete the risk assessment within 3 to 3.5 years and take action to minimize the risk. The EPA will accept public comments on the proposed designations for 90 days.
In addition, a proposed regulation for the solvent 1-bromopropane (1-BP) was published as part of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This chemical substance can cause skin, lung and bowel cancer as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system and can be harmful to reproduction. If the regulation is adopted, the substance would be banned in consumer products – with one exception (use in insulation). For industrial and commercial uses, companies would have to introduce far-reaching protective measures and in some cases also comply with bans.
1-BP is a solvent that is widely used in spot cleaners, stain removers, spray adhesives and dry cleaning, but is also used in the insulation of building and construction materials and in the manufacture of other chemicals.
The public now has 45 days to comment on the proposed regulation. Companies in particular are invited to do so. There will also be a webinar for all interested parties on August 28.
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