EPA Prioritizes Evaluation of the Plastic Compound Vinyl Chloride
Agency Will Evaluate Five More Chemicals Under Toxic Substances Control Act
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today it will prioritize the chemicals Vinyl Chloride, Acetaldehyde Acrylonitrile, Benzenamine, and 4,4’-Methylene bis for evaluation and potential regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The following is a statement by Daniel Rosenberg, director of federal toxics policy for NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council).
“Vinyl chloride is highly toxic—from manufacture to use and disposal—not to mention transport, as the community of East Palestine, Ohio knows all too well. EPA should factor in all possible sources of exposure to vinyl chloride when assessing its risk.”
“Identifying these chemicals is a key move by EPA in a process that should eliminate any dangerous health threats they pose. It’s also a good step in addressing overproduction and overuse of toxic plastics.”
Today’s announcement initiates a longer process by EPA to assess whether each of the chemicals poses an “unreasonable risk” to human health or the environment, including to people and communities that are more highly exposed or more susceptible to the chemicals. The agency is required under TSCA to eliminate the unreasonable risk that it might identify.
Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen linked to toxic effects in nearly every major organ system. It is used to make PVC plastic, widely considered to have the most toxic lifecycle of any plastic, and has been targeted for elimination in food packaging and other applications by retail businesses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
See NRDC’s fact sheet on plastics and chemicals, “The Worst of the Worst: High-Priority Plastic Materials, Chemical Additives and Products to Phase Out.”
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.