On November 29, 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a press release announcing ten chemicals that will be evaluated for potential risks to human health and the environment. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that was modernized on June 22, 2016 (FPF reported), EPA is now required to perform a risk assessment for existing chemicals to be able to judge whether they “present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.” As a first step, EPA plans to investigate ten substances with respect to their hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations. The substances were selected based on their hazards and potential exposures. Furthermore, public discussions and ongoing risk assessments were considered. Within the next six months, EPA is going to release scoping documents for all substances.
Eight of the ten substances are currently authorized as indirect food additives in the U.S., whereas six of the substances are listed on European legal lists or inventories of substances used to produce food contact materials.
| Substance | CAS No. | U.S.: Substance listed as | EU: Substance listed on | EPA: Hazard information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,4-Dioxane | 123-91-1 | Indirect food additive | FACET | Possible human carcinogen |
| 1-Bromopropane | 106-94-5 | Possible human carcinogen | ||
| Asbestos | Indirect food additive | Known human carcinogen; acute and chronic toxicity from inhalation exposures |
||
| Carbon tetrachloride | 56-23-5 | Indirect food additive | ESCO | Probable human carcinogen |
| Cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster | Acute aquatic toxicity | |||
| Methylene chloride | 75-09-2 | Direct & indirect food additive; color | FACET | Probable human carcinogen |
| N-Methylpyrrolidone | 872-50-4 | Indirect food additive | Annex I of (EU) No 10/2011; ESCO; FACET | Reproductive toxicity |
| Pigment violet 29 | 81-33-4 | Indirect food additive | FACET | Aquatic toxicity |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 127-18-4 | Indirect food additive | Probable human carcinogen | |
| Trichloroethylene | 79-01-6 | Direct & indirect food additive; flavor | FACET | Probable human carcinogen |
Read more
EPA (November 29, 2016). “EPA names first chemicals for review under new TSCA legislation.”
EPA (November 2016). “Evaluating risk of existing chemicals under TSCA.”
The Hill (November 29, 2016). “EPA to consider banning asbestos, other chemicals.”
Keller and Heckman LLP (November 30, 2016). “Announcement and implications of first 10 chemicals to undergo risk evaluation.”
Jessica Lyons Hardcastle (November 30, 2016). “EPA names first chemicals to review under TSCA reform.“ Environmental Leader
Kelly Franklin (November 30, 2016). “EPA names first ten chemicals for new TSCA evaluations.” Chemical Watch
