EPA takes steps to reduce exposure to five PBTs

The Environmental Protection Agency recently took steps to limit exposure to five persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals through processes established in the recently enacted Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

“The threats from persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals are well-documented,” Jim Jones, EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention assistant administrator, said. “The new law directs us to expedite action to reduce risks for these chemicals rather than spending more time evaluating them. We are working to ensure the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act signed in June of this year delivers on the promise of better protecting the environment and public health as quickly as possible.”

The EPA will work to determine where and how the chemicals are used, allowing the agency to propose limitations on that use and reduce the public’s exposure to the threats presented by them.

The five PBT chemicals targeted by the EPA have a wide range of applications, including as flame retardants in textiles and consumer products, as solvents and as additives in fuel, oil and gasoline and in lubricants. The chemicals are decabromodiphenyl ethers (DecaBDE), hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), pentachlorothio-phenol (PCTP), tris (4-isopropylphenyl) phosphate and 2,4,6-tris (tert-butyl) phenol.