EPA requests input on draft risk evaluation for TSCA chemical after finding no ‘unreasonable risk’

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a draft risk evaluation that states the chemical substance Pigment Violet 29 “does not present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment,” according to a notice published in the Nov. 15 Federal Register.

One of the first 10 chemicals slated for evaluation for potential health and environmental risks under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Pigment Violet 29 primarily is used as a colorant in consumer products such as paints, coatings, plastics and rubber products. The draft risk evaluation is the first released by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act amended by the Lautenberg Act, a Nov. 14 press release states.

During its evaluation, EPA found that Pigment Violet 29 possesses “low solubility, low vapor pressure, low bioaccumulation potential, low absorption, limited environmental releases and low potential for resulting exposures,” translating to “a low hazard to human health and environmental receptors.”

As required by the TSCA, the draft risk evaluation will undergo peer review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals, the release states.

“EPA has made tremendous progress fulfilling our new responsibilities for existing chemicals under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act,” Andrew Wheeler, EPA acting administrator, said in the release. “Releasing the first draft risk evaluation conducted under this new authority shows that the agency is delivering on its promise to meet the statutory deadlines and ensure the safety of chemicals currently on the market.”

Comments must be submitted by Jan. 14.

According to the release, EPA intends to issue final risk evaluations for each of the first 10 chemicals by December 2019. In June, the agency took a step toward meeting that deadline, releasing problem formulation documents for the chemicals.