EPA Moves to Tighten Regulation of Vinyl Chloride, 4 Other Plastics Chemicals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed five chemical substances for risk evaluation and possible designation as high priority under the nation’s chemical safety law, including vinyl chloride, a toxic substance spilled by a train derailment at East Palestine, Ohio in 2023.
Besides vinyl chloride, which has been linked to liver, brain, and lung cancer, the EPA chose to review acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzenamine and MBOCA from a longer list of chemicals previously identified for additional assessment. All are used to manufacture and process plastics, resins and other chemicals, according to a July 24 announcement.
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, the EPA has the power to implement stringent regulations on substances classed as high priority, including reporting, record-keeping, testing requirements, and other restrictions….