EPN Comments on Proposed List of Next 20 High-Priority Chemicals for Risk Evaluation

On November 21, 2019, EPN submitted comments in response to EPA’s proposal to designate 20 chemical substances as “High-Priority Substances” for risk evaluation. This is the second round of chemicals to be evaluated under the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). TSCA requires EPA to ensure the safety of existing chemicals by setting priorities for which chemicals to assess, evaluating their risks and imposing restrictions to eliminate unreasonable risks. EPN urges EPA to take quick action to evaluate risks of chemicals currently on the market with documented risks to vulnerable and highly exposed populations.

EPN objects to the process followed and basis on which EPA has thus far conducted the risk evaluations for Pigment Violet 29HBCD and 1,4-Dioxane, and ​1-BP. EPA needs to base its decisions on adequate data and expand its considerations of the populations at risk. EPN urges EPA to discontinue the use of the flawed TSCA systematic review to prevent endangering public health and the environment.

Read a summary of the comments.

Read the comments.