On October 18, 2019, EPN sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing concerns about the serious health risks to workers and consumers for developmental and reproductive toxicity from acute exposure demonstrated in EPA’s draft risk evaluation for 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 1-BP is a solvent used in degreasing, dry cleaning, spray adhesives, and aerosol solvents, which has been linked to neurological illnesses and may cause cancer and reproductive disorders. EPN urged EPA to regulate 1-BP in two stages—the first immediately focusing on the acute reproductive and developmental hazards posed by 1-BP, the second focusing on eliminating unreasonable risks, including cancer and neurotoxicity effects from chronic exposure.
EPN objects to the process followed and basis on which EPA conducted the risk evaluation for 1-BP, as it did with the previous risk evaluations for Pigment Violet 29 and HBCD and 1,4-Dioxane. 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 the letter.