EPA ‘working on a rule to protect people’ from the risks of 1,4-dioxane

Washington — A final, revised risk determination from the Environmental Protection Agency affirms that the potentially carcinogenic chemical substance 1,4-dioxane poses “unreasonable” risk to workers under certain conditions, including domestic manufacturing.

Published Nov. 14, the determination includes a supplemental analysis for the substance, which is frequently used in consumer products. The supplement assesses exposure to 1,4-dioxane generated as a byproduct and other air and water exposure pathways.

EPA says 1,4-dioxane poses unreasonable risks to workers in these areas:

• When used as a processing aid or laboratory chemical
• Printing and printing compositions
• Disposal
• Hydraulic fracturing
• When used as an adhesive and sealant

EPA gathered comment on a final, revised risk determination published in July 2023. The agency reopened and updated the risk evaluation after previously publishing one in January 2021, noting the discovery of more risks related to 1,4-dioxane than initially determined.

The substance is among the first 10 chemicals to be evaluated for potential health and environmental risks under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

The Toxic Substances Control Act, which the Lautenberg Act amended, states EPA must address risks by proposing – within one year of a chemical review’s release – regulatory actions such as training, certification, restricted access and/or ban of commercial use, and then accept public comment on any proposals.

“We’re working on a rule to protect people from these risks,” EPA says in a Nov. 13 post on X.