EPA Proposes to Review New Uses of 14 Chemicals Classified as Glymes / Action taken to better evaluate possible adverse health impacts (HQ)
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is
proposing to protect consumers by requiring companies to report new
uses of chemicals known as glymes in consumer products. EPA’s
proposed action is based in part on concerns that additional uses
of these 14 chemicals in consumer products could lead to harmful
reproductive and developmental health effects. Glymes are chemicals
used in a wide array of applications including printing ink, paints
and coatings, adhesives, household batteries and motor vehicle
brake systems. This proposed action is part of Administrator Lisa
P. Jackson’s effort to strengthen the agency’s chemical
management program and ensure the safety of chemicals.
“This proposed rule would enable EPA to
evaluate the use of these chemicals before Americans are subject to
additional exposure to them in numerous consumer products”
said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “We need to take a
closer look at the potential health effects that additional
exposure to these chemicals could have.”
The proposed regulatory procedure is known as a
significant new use rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control
Act. The SNUR would ensure that, prior to the manufacture, import,
or processing of these chemicals for a significant new use, EPA
will have 90 days to evaluate potential risks, and prohibit or
limit the activity if warranted.
Comments on the proposal must be received on or
before September 9, 2011. The proposal and supporting information
can be found in docket number
EPA–HQ–OPPT–2009–0767 on the Federal
eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov/.
For more information on the EPA’s existing
chemical programs: https://www.epa.gov/chemicals-under-tsca