RISK ASSESSMENT EPA enlarges list of chemicals for further scrutiny, potential controls

Bisphenol A (BPA), two flame retardants, and seven phthalates are among the 23 chemicals or groups of compounds that EPA added to a list of substances it’s assessing for possible regulation. EPA also removed 16 chemicals from the list, including 13 that the agency claims are no longer sold in the U.S. The changes, made in late October, reflect new data that industry submitted to EPA about chemical releases and potential exposures. This marks the first time the agency has updated its list of chemicals, established in 2012, to scrutinize for potential regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The list now contains 90 substances or groups of compounds that can cause reproductive, developmental, or neurotoxic effects; are carcinogenic; or are in children’s products. The American Chemistry Council, an industry group, raised concerns about some of the newly added chemicals, notably BPA and phthalates. Other regulatory programs at EPA or ...