September 22, 2023

Comments on EPA’s White Paper on Quantitative Human Health Approach to Be Applied in Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2 Due October 2, 2023

On August 3, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and solicited public comment on the document entitled “White Paper: Quantitative Human Health Approach to be Applied in the Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2 — Supplemental Evaluation including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos” (White Paper) and related charge questions. 88 Fed. Reg. 51309. EPA states that it will be soliciting comments from expert ad hoc reviewers on the...
September 21, 2023

EDF Urges EPA to “Use TSCA to Turn Off the PFAS Tap”

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) published a blog item on September 18, 2023, entitled “Now’s the Time — How EPA Can Use TSCA to Turn Off the PFAS Tap.” According to EDF, for both previously approved per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and for new PFAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should: EDF concludes that by using its full authority under TSCA, “EPA can ensure a future where chemicals do not compromise our health and...
September 19, 2023

Earthjustice Files Lawsuit Seeking a Binding Timeline for EPA to Comply with TSCA Risk Evaluation Deadlines

Earthjustice announced on September 18, 2023, that environmental justice and health advocates have filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “for missing statutory deadlines to complete risk evaluations for 22 toxic chemicals released in high volumes in fenceline communities and found in many everyday consumer products.” Earthjustice states that “EPA initiated risk evaluations for the nearly two dozen toxic...
September 18, 2023

Canada Will Hold Information Sessions in October 2023 on Right to a Healthy Environment Amendments to CEPA

As reported in our June 23, 2023, memorandum, on June 13, 2023, Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, became law. The bill made a number of changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), including recognizing that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment as provided under CEPA. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC) will hold information sessions in October 2023 for...
September 11, 2023

EPA Opens Registration for 2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards and Stakeholder Summit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 7, 2023, that the upcoming 2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony will be held October 2, 2023, and the Partner and Stakeholder Summit will be held October 3-4, 2023. EPA states that during the Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony, it will recognize the 2023 Safer Choice Partners of the Year “for their outstanding achievement in the design, manufacture, selection and use of...
September 11, 2023

EPA Opens Registration for 2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards and Stakeholder Summit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 7, 2023, that the upcoming 2023 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony will be held October 2, 2023, and the Partner and Stakeholder Summit will be held October 3-4, 2023. EPA states that during the Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony, it will recognize the 2023 Safer Choice Partners of the Year “for their outstanding achievement in the design, manufacture, selection and use of products that meet the...
September 6, 2023

NSF Will Hold Public Listening Sessions on NSTC Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), on behalf of the federal agencies and departments participating on the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on Scientific Integrity (the Subcommittee), is organizing two virtual listening sessions to hear from members of the public about recommendations, issues, and concerns related to federal department and agency implementation of the NSTC Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice (the Framework). 88...
August 29, 2023

EPA Announces Latest Update to the TSCA Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on August 16, 2023, the availability of the latest Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory. EPA notes that this update to the public TSCA Inventory is part of its biannual posting of non-confidential Inventory data. According to EPA, the Inventory contains 86,718 chemicals, of which 42,242 are active in U.S commerce. Other updates to the TSCA Inventory include updates to commercial activity data, unique...
August 25, 2023

EPA Will Hold Virtual Training on High Throughput Toxicokinetics Modeling in November 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a two-day training on its high throughput toxicokinetic (HTTK) R package as part of its New Approach Methods (NAM) Training Program: According to EPA, toxicokinetics (TK) provides a bridge between toxicity and exposure assessment by predicting tissue concentrations due to exposure. EPA notes that traditional TK methods can be resource intensive and require chemical-specific data. EPA states that its freely available HTTK R...
August 24, 2023

EPA Releases Beta Version of ChemExpo, a Tool for Exploring Chemical Use Data Relevant to Exposure Assessment

On August 22, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published ChemExpo, a free, publicly available search and visualization tool for exploring chemical use data relevant to exposure assessment that has been curated from public documents. According to EPA, the interactive web application focuses on data collected by EPA about how chemicals are used in commerce and how they occur in consumer and industrial products. EPA notes that under the Toxic Substances Control Act...
August 22, 2023

EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for 2024-2027 Include Addressing PFAS and Chemical Accident Risk Reduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on August 17, 2023, its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECI) for 2024-2027, “including for the first time initiatives to mitigate climate change, address exposure to [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] contamination, and protect communities from cancer-causing coal ash.” To advance the Biden Administration’s commitment to protect disadvantaged communities, EPA states that it also will...
August 21, 2023

EPA Releases Initial Nationwide Monitoring Data on 29 PFAS and Lithium

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on August 17, 2023, the release of the first set of data collected under the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). According to EPA, in the latest action to deliver on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, UCMR 5 will provide new data that will improve its understanding of the frequency that 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium are found in U.S. drinking water systems, and at what levels. EPA...
August 14, 2023

EPA Temporarily Waives Some Requirements under New CBI Procedures Rule

As reported in our June 12, 2023, memorandum, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published on June 7, 2023, a final rule with new and amended requirements concerning the assertion and treatment of confidential business information (CBI) claims for information reported to or otherwise obtained by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA announced on August 10, 2023, that to ensure the “smoothest possible reporting experience” for TSCA submitters using...
August 10, 2023

EPA Announces New Webinar Series on the Use of NAMs to Reduce Animal Testing

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a webinar series in collaboration with the PETA Science Consortium International (PSCI), Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR). According to EPA, the quarterly series will focus on the use of new approach methodologies (NAM), or alternative methods to reduce vertebrate animal testing, for risk assessment within EPA and CDPR. The first webinar in the series will take place...
August 9, 2023

TSCA Section 21 Citizen Petition Seeks Prohibition of 6PPD in Tires

On August 1, 2023, Earthjustice filed a citizen petition under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish regulations prohibiting the manufacturing, processing, use, and distribution of N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) (Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number® (CAS RN®) 793-24-8) for and in tires. Earthjustice filed the petition on behalf of the Yurok Tribe, the Port Gamble...
August 7, 2023

Maine Invites Stakeholder Comment on Rule Concept Draft Language Prohibiting Sale of Food Packages Containing PFAS

On August 3, 2023, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) announced that it would accept stakeholder comment on its rule concept draft language that would prohibit manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors from offering for sale or for promotional purposes in Maine certain types of food packaging to which per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been intentionally introduced. MDEP states that it has the authority to prohibit the sale of a food package to which...
August 2, 2023

EPA Will Hold Webinar on Proposed Risk Management Rule for Carbon Tetrachloride

On August 15, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a webinar on its proposed rule to protect workers from exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CTC).  EPA published the proposed rule on July 28, 2023. 88 Fed. Reg. 49180. EPA states that if issued in final, “the rule would require a workplace chemical protection program with strict exposure limits for essentially the entire domestic production volume of CTC, workplace controls for laboratory use of CTC, and a ban...
July 31, 2023

Bipartisan Group of Representatives Calls on EPA to Assess the Risks of PFAS in Fluorinated Containers

On July 25, 2023, 12 members of the House sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging EPA “to conduct a rigorous, comprehensive, and transparent assessment of the risks of [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] in fluorinated containers.” The letter states that EPA is mandated by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address the risks of new PFAS and significant new uses of existing PFAS. According to the letter, the...