EPA aims to protect workers from exposure to Pigment Violet 29

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on a proposed rule requiring respiratory protection and cleaning plans to help reduce worker exposure to the chemical substance Pigment Violet 29.

PV29 is used primarily as a colorant in consumer products such as paints, coatings, plastics and rubber products.

In a final revised risk determination published in September 2022, EPA says PV29 – as a whole chemical substance – poses “unreasonable risk” to workers and occupational non-users under conditions including domestic manufacture and import and paint and coating processing.

Agency findings show that long-term inhalation exposure to the substance “can cause lung toxicity effects” or an “adverse increase in the number of cells in the lungs where oxygen transfer occurs.”

Under the proposed rule published Jan. 14, EPA would mandate minimum respiratory protection and cleaning of work areas for uses in which employees are exposed to dry powder PV29:

• Incorporation into formulation, mixture or reaction products in paints and coatings
• Incorporation into formulation, mixture or reaction products in plastic and rubber products
• Intermediate in the creation or adjustment of color or other perylene pigments
• Industrial and commercial use in automobile paints and coatings (original equipment manufacturer and refinishing)
• Industrial and commercial use in coatings and basecoats for paints and coating
• Industrial and commercial use in merchant ink for commercial printing
• Domestic manufacturing, import, recycling and disposal

“We can keep people safe from exposure to this toxic chemical with commonsense workplace safety measures,” Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution, said in a press release.

The deadline to submit comment is Feb. 28.