On October 23, 2014, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had updated its list of existing chemicals for assessment, known as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan for Chemical Assessments. The changes to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments reflect updated data submitted to US EPA on chemical releases and potential exposures. US EPA first presented the TSCA Work Plan of 83 chemicals in February 2012 and this is the first update.
The 2014 update to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments is based on new data that the agency received as part of the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) program and the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program. The update removes or consolidates 16 of those chemicals, most of which are no longer in commerce in the US.
Another 23 chemicals, many of which were previously considered of "moderate" concern, are being added to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments. Data reported to the TRI in 2011 show elevated releases of these chemicals to the environment, and data reported to US EPA as part of the 2012 CDR show an increase in potential exposure; specifically, CDR data indicate the presence of many of these chemicals in consumer products, including some products used by children. The 23 chemicals added to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments will be considered after 2017. The updated TSCA Work Plan contains 90 chemicals. US EPA uses the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments to focus and prioritize its activities so that chemicals having the highest potential for exposure and hazard are assessed and, if warranted, are subject to risk reduction actions.
On August 28, 2014, final risk assessments were published for specific uses of three chemicals: methylene chloride in paint stripping products, antimony trioxide as a synergist in halogenated flame retardants, and 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8,-hexamethylcyclopenta-[ƴ]-2-benzopyran as a fragrance. Earlier, the first completed assessment on trichloroethylene (TCE) as a degreaser, a spot-cleaner in dry cleaning, and a spray-on protective coating was published on June 25, 2014. Additional information on the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments and the 2014 update can be found on the US EPA website as well as the assessments being conducted.