Toxics Under Review

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The 10 chemicals EPA will evaluate first and where to find them.

These 10 chemicals are found in many of the things we use every day—but they are potentially harmful. Because of strong evidence that they may pose hazards to our health or to the environment, EPA will now formally evaluate their safety. These chemicals are the first ten to be evaluated under the new, bipartisan chemical safety law passed in 2016. More will follow.

EPA finally has the authority and mandate to decide whether these and other potentially hazardous chemicals should stay on the market and under what conditions. Moms say: It’s about time!

1,4-DIOXANE

Used in: Many common inks, adhesives, resins, oils, waxes, and dyes. Can also contaminate deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Health effects: Possible human carcinogen.

1-BROMOPROPANE

Used in: Aerosol adhesives, foam cushions, asphalt, dry cleaning, synthetic fibers, cleaners for optics, electronics, and metals.
Possible human carcinogen.

PIGMENT VIOLET 29

Used in: Coatings, plastics, artist paint.
Health effects: Toxic to fish and other aquatic species. Persistent.

TETRACHLOROETHYLENE (PERCHLOROETHYLENE, “PERC”)

Used in: The dry cleaning industry by 70% of dry cleaners, degreasers, spot removers,
wood cleaners, shoe polish.

Health effects: Probable human carcinogen.

CYCLIC ALIPHATIC BROMIDE CLUSTER (HBCD)

Used in: Flame retardant used in foam, textiles, electronics. Found in infant car seats.
Health effects: Highly toxic to fish and other aquatic species. Persistent and bioaccumulative.

METHYLENE CHLORIDE

Used in: Paint and coating removal products, automotive products, spray paint, adhesives, degreasers.
Health effects: Probable human carcinogen.

N-METHYLPYRROLIDONE (NMP)

Used in: Paint and coating removal products, automotive products, spray paint, adhesives, degreasers.
Health effects: Linked to fetal development problems, low birth weight, birth defects.

ASBESTOS

Used in: Brake pads, insulation, chlor-alkali industry.
Health effects: Known human carcinogen.

CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

Used in: Chemical intermediate, commercial and industrial solvent.
Health effects: Probable human carcinogen.

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

Used in: Dry cleaning, spray-on protective coatings, pepper sprays, film cleaners, consumer, commercial, and industrial degreasers.
Health effects: Known human carcinogen, linked to neurological damage.

MORE INFORMATION

In 2016, Congress passed the Lautenberg Chemicals Safety for the 21st Century Act. The bill was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed by President Obama in June 2016.

The new law finally gives EPA the authority to screen the hundreds of new industrial chemicals that come on the market every year for safety, before our families are exposed to them. And it requires EPA to evaluate the safety of the tens of thousands of chemicals that have already made it to store shelves, often without any safety data, starting with those that present the greatest potential risk.

This is good for our kids and good for our communities.

DATE: 04/17

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