EPA offers more time for comment on vinyl chloride risks

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has extended to April 2 the deadline to comment on a draft scope document for the agency’s risk evaluation of vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen.

The comment period initially was set to close March 3.

Vinyl chloride is primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials including polyvinyl chloride and plastic resins – many of which are used for pipes, insulation and consumer goods.

Released Jan. 16, the draft scope document meets requirements under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, outlining hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and potentially exposed or susceptible populations.

Among the uses of vinyl chloride EPA plans to evaluate in its risk evaluation:

• Domestic manufacture
• Import
• Processing as a reactant
• Recycling
• Construction and building materials covering large surface areas
• Petrochemical manufacturing
• Water- and solvent-based paints
• Textiles, synthetic fibers and blends
• Disposal

Vinyl chloride may cause liver, brain and lung cancer in workers, EPA says, while short-term exposure can trigger dizziness, nausea, and eye and skin irritation.

In December, EPA designated vinyl chloride and four additional chemicals as high-priority substances for risk evaluation. The agency notes that such a designation “is not a finding of unreasonable risk” but instead “the initiation of evaluation of associated risk.”