On April 17, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the second set of draft scope documents for the seven remaining chemicals designated as high-priority substances for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As reported in our December 20, 2019, memorandum, EPA designated these chemicals as a high priority for risk evaluation in December 2019. According to EPA, seeking public input on the conditions of use to be included in the risk evaluations for these chemicals is the next step in the process outlined in TSCA. EPA states that “[i]t is important to note that being designated as a high-priority chemical does not mean that a chemical is high risk.”
EPA is releasing draft scope documents for the following chemicals:
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1-butyl 2-(phenylmethyl) ester);
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-dibutyl ester);
- Dicyclohexyl phthalate (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-dicyclohexyl ester);
- Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester);
- Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-bis(2-methylpropyl) ester);
- Formaldehyde; and
- Phthalic anhydride (1,3-isobenzofurandione).
EPA will publish a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the draft scope documents for public comment. Publication of the notice will begin a 45-day comment period. EPA states that it will use feedback received from the public comment process to inform the final scope documents. More information on the second batch of draft scope documents will be available in a forthcoming memorandum that will be posted on our website. Our April 7, 2020, memorandum, “EPA Seeks Public Comment on First Batch of Draft Scope Documents,” offers an overview of the draft scope documents on the other 13 of the 20 chemicals undergoing risk evaluation, as well as an insightful commentary.