Toxic Substances

The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), amended by "The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act" in 2016, is the most important chemical control law in the United States, giving EPA authority to take certain regulatory actions against both new and existing chemical substances. EPN has commented on the Trump Administration’s flawed systematic review process for TSCA as well as on risk evaluations and toxicity assessments.

July 20, 2026

EPN Comments on Rescission of Regulatory Determinations and Removal of Related Provisions for Four PFAS Substances (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the Mixture of These Three PFAS Plus PFBS)

EPN urged EPA to retain drinking water protections for four PFAS and keep safeguards grounded in the best available science. (July 20, 2026) [Read more]

Toxic Substances

July 20, 2026

EPN Comments on Extending the Compliance Deadline for the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels

EPN explained that EPA failed to justify extending the compliance deadline for two years and that the delay would unnecessarily prolong Americans’ exposure to harmful…

Toxic Substances

June 25, 2026

Supreme Court Sides With Chemical Giant, Weakens Public’s Ability to Demand Warnings on Pesticide Harms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2026 CONTACT: Aaron Bharucha, Public Relations Associate (509) 429-1699 and epn-press@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org Supreme Court Sides With Chemical Giant, Weakens Public’s Ability…

Press Release Press Statements

June 14, 2026

EPN Comments on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission’s PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane Minimization and Monitoring Proposed Rules

On June 14, 2026, EPN submitted formal comments on North Carolina’s proposed PFAS and 1,4-dioxane rules. [Read more]

National Policy Efforts Toxic Substances

December 29, 2025

EPN Comments on PFAS Data Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA; Revision to Regulation

On December 29, 2025, EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed revisions to the PFAS reporting rule. [Read more]

Chemicals & Pesticides National Policy Efforts

November 7, 2025

EPN Comments on EPA’s Proposed Rule: Procedures for Chemical Risk Evaluation Under TSCA

EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed TSCA rule changes that weaken 2024 protections. [Read more]

National Policy Efforts Toxic Substances

November 3, 2025

EPN Comments on Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category

EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposal to extend steam electric effluent limitation deadlines. [Read more]

National Policy Efforts Toxic Substances

September 5, 2025

EPN Comments on EPA’s Proposed Decision to Approve Registration for New Uses of Dicamba on Dicamba-Resistant Soybeans and Cotton

On September 5, 2025, EPN submitted comments on EPA’s proposed decision to approve registration for new uses of dicamba on dicamba-resistant crops, recommending that EPA…

Chemicals & Pesticides National Policy Efforts

June 17, 2025

Chemical Lobby Tightens Its Grip on EPA, Undermining Asbestos Ban and Putting Lives at Risk

Chemical Lobby Tightens Its Grip on EPA, Undermining Asbestos Ban and Putting Lives at Risk WASHINGTON, D.C. — A former top official with the American…

Press Release Press Statements

August 24, 2026

Held Responsible

Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator for Region 2, spoke with The East Hampton Press about New York’s attorney general showing that PFAS were a known contaminant.

In The News via The East Hampton Press

August 22, 2026

Menstrual pads and tampons can contain toxic substances – here’s what to know about this emerging health issue

Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, spoke with Voice of Alexandria about the health risks posed by toxic substances…

In The News via Voice of Alexandria

August 19, 2026

Ruling Backing CERCLA PFAS Rule Could Drive Host Of New Mandates

Walter Mugdan, former EPA Region 2 Deputy Regional Administrator and Superfund Director, spoke with Inside EPA about the D.C. Circuit ruling upholding EPA’s designation of…

In The News via Inside EPA

August 18, 2026

EPA Wants Your Input on Forever Chemicals Plan

Betsy Southerland, former Director of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, spoke with Fox 5 DC about EPA’s announcement that they will not regulate…

In The News via Fox 5 DC

August 11, 2026

More Than Half of Tested Omaha Superfund Yards Exceed a Child Safety Lead Level

Jim Woolford, former Director of EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, spoke with Medical Daily about lead contamination in Omaha soil and efforts…

In The News via Medical Daily

August 6, 2026

Proposed plastics plant raises local concerns

Tracey Woodruff, former senior scientist and policy advisor in EPA’s Office of Policy, spoke with Athens Independent about concerns surrounding a proposed plastics plant in…

In The News via Athens County Independent

August 3, 2026

The Best Baby Bottle Sterilizers

Tracey Woodruff, former senior scientist and policy advisor in EPA’s Office of Policy, spoke with The New York Times about baby bottle sterilizers and reducing infants’…

In The News via Wirecutter | The New York Times

July 26, 2026

Why Are These Toys So Hard to Get a Hold Of?

Tracey Woodruff, former senior scientist and policy advisor in EPA’s Office of Policy, spoke with The New York Times about the popularity of squishy fidget…

In The News via The New York Times

July 21, 2026

People keep using plastic cutting boards for years, but experts warn they could be making your food toxic

Tracey Woodruff, former senior scientist and policy advisor in EPA’s Office of Policy, spoke with The Economic Times about the potential health risks of plastic…

In The News via Economic Times