The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on December 14 that it is beginning the process to prioritize five additional toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), one of which is vinyl chloride that is used in the manufacturing and processing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
PVC pipe is used extensively in the groundwater industry in wells and water distribution.
If, during the 12-month-long statutory process, the EPA designates these five chemicals as High Priority Substances, the EPA will then begin risk evaluations for these chemicals.
The EPA plans to prioritize these five chemicals for risk evaluation under TSCA:
- Vinyl chloride (CASRN 75-01-4) is primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials like PVC, plastic resins, and other chemicals; many of these materials are used for pipes, insulating materials, and consumer goods
- Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0) is primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of adhesives, petrochemicals, and other chemicals as well as intermediates for products like packaging and construction materials
- Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1) is primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials, paints, petrochemicals and other chemicals
- Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3) is used in the manufacturing and processing of dyes and pigments, petrochemicals, plastics, resins, and other chemicals
- 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4) is used in the manufacturing and processing of rubbers, plastics, resins, and other chemicals.
Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen and the other four are probable human carcinogens.
The Federal Register notice for this chemical prioritization was published on December 18. The EPA is particularly interested in information regarding the chemicals’ uses and encourages companies that make and use them to submit comments. Click here to submit comments. Comments must be submitted by March 18, 2024.
Although the EPA expects these chemicals to be designated as high priority for risk evaluation during the prioritization process, the EPA will continue to review and screen reasonably available and submitted information to make a final designation. The EPA will review the hazard and exposure potential of each chemical, whether it builds up in the environment, whether there are potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations, whether the chemical is stored near significant sources of drinking water, how the chemical is used, and the volume in which it is manufactured or processed.
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