The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed significant amendments to the regulations guiding its review of new chemicals. The proposed changes aim to enhance the safety assessment process, offering better protection for public health and the environment from potentially harmful substances such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals.
The EPA, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), plays a vital role in assessing the risks of new chemicals before they enter the market. The new proposal seeks to strengthen this role by removing certain exemptions that currently allow some new chemicals to bypass a full safety review.
In simpler terms, new chemicals previously could enter the market via certain shortcuts if they were produced in low volumes or if the manufacturers could show that human exposure would be minimal. However, the proposed changes would remove these shortcuts for PFAS and other persistent chemicals, ensuring that these substances undergo a complete safety review before they are allowed on the market.
The changes are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's broader strategy to protect Americans from harmful PFAS exposure. This includes a detailed action plan over the next three years to control PFAS at its sources, hold polluters accountable, and make decisions based on scientific research, with a focus on protecting disadvantaged and disproportionately affected communities.
What does this mean for manufacturers and processors? Under the current TSCA, they must submit premanufacture notices (PMNs) for new chemical substances, significant new use notices (SNUNs) for significant new uses, and microbial commercial activity notices (MCANs) for microorganisms with commercial applications. The new proposal would require the EPA to make one of five possible safety determinations on every single one of these submissions before they can enter the market. This change is intended to provide consistency and transparency in the new chemical review processes.
Moreover, the proposed rule would bring about changes to improve efficiency in the review process. It would clarify the level of detail needed in new chemical notices and amend the procedures for reviewing incomplete or erroneous notices. The EPA plans to introduce a new set of information “pick-lists” to help industry stakeholders provide complete submissions for review, enabling a quicker and more accurate risk assessment.
The EPA is inviting the public to share their comments on the proposal within the next 60 days.
As an environmental consulting company offering PFAS testing services, we support these proposed changes. Ensuring new chemicals undergo a thorough safety review before entering the market aligns with our commitment to protecting public health and the environment. We will continue to follow these developments closely and provide updates as they become available.
In an important step towards safeguarding communities from childhood lead exposure, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Biden-Harris Administration has announced a series of free educational sessions. These sessions aim to raise awareness about the dangers of lead and provide information on how to reduce and prevent lead exposure. The initiative aligns with the Administration's commitment to environmental justice and protecting vulnerable communities.
Every year, millions of individuals and corporations around the globe make considerable investments in real estate. Whether it’s purchasing a home, acquiring a commercial property, or developing a tract of land, real estate investments generally come with their share of taxes, such as property taxes. But there’s another “tax” that is often overlooked and misunderstood — environmental due diligence.
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The City of Honolulu is inviting residents to experience the new rail system, with free rides offered during the opening weekend. The inaugural rail ride will depart from the Kapolei station at 2 p.m., with Halawa/Aloha Stadium serving as the final stop for the time being. This new public transport option marks the culmination of tireless efforts from a broad array of stakeholders, dedicated to creating a future-proof, environmentally-friendly mobility solution for Honolulu.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed significant amendments to the regulations guiding its review of new chemicals. The proposed changes aim to enhance the safety assessment process, offering better protection for public health and the environment from potentially harmful substances such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released “A Year of Progress Under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap,” which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA is implementing a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable.
From press release put out by EPA Press Office: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to remove 12 chemicals identified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the current list of inert ingredients approved for use in pesticide products to better protect human health and the environment."
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is a term used to describe chemicals that are not yet federally regulated but are known or suspected of causing harm to human health or the environment
A Discussion of Soil Management in the Critical Path of Hawaii Construction Projects
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