EPA to review five more toxic chemicals for risk evaluation

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has initiated its 12-month review process to prioritize five toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

EPA uses a risk-based screening process to determine if a chemical is high or low priority. A chemical designated as high priority must undergo further evaluation.

An agency press release identifies the chemicals as:

• Acetaldehyde, primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of adhesives, petrochemicals and other chemicals, as well as intermediates for packaging, construction materials and other products
• Acrylonitrile, primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials, paints, petrochemicals and other chemicals
• Benzenamine, used for manufacturing and processing of dyes and pigments, petrochemicals, plastics, resins, and other chemicals
• 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline), or MBOCA, used in the manufacturing and processing of rubbers, plastics, resins and other chemicals
• Vinyl chloride, primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials including polyvinyl chloride and plastic resins, many of which are used for pipe, insulation and consumer goods

Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen, while the other chemicals are classified as probable human carcinogens.

The chemicals were part of a 2014 update to the TSCA Work Plan, which identified substances based on hazard and potential exposure to the public and other factors, such as persistence and bioaccumulation.

“Moving forward to comprehensively study the safety of these five chemicals that have been in use for decades is key to better protecting people from toxic exposure,” Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said in the release.

Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator and president of Beyond Plastics, adds in the release that the analysis of vinyl chloride – which was involved in a Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, OH – is monumental.

“Most vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride plastic, which poses significant health and environmental problems that have been known for over 50 years,” Enck said. “This is one of the most important chemical review processes ever undertaken by the EPA. I applaud the EPA for launching this review.”

Comments are due March 18.