PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT
US Environmental Protection Agency mulls new rules for MDI and TDI in consumer products
Under the “Significant New Use Rule” (SNUR) provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, Washington, DC; www.epa.gov) of late has been rather active in evaluating, updating and/or enforcing its existing rules governing chemicals in consumer applications, in particular as regards imported products. In one of its latest moves, the agency is proposing new methods of evaluation and, if needed, restrictions – to protect consumers from new uses and imports of what it calls the “harmful chemicals” MDI and TDI.
EPA has called for data on the diisocyanates “to determine if there are allegations of significant adverse effects” and, if so, “initiate a rulemaking for one-time reporting of relevant unpublished health and safety studies.” It also may consider exposure and monitoring studies in “representative locations where commercial products containing the chemicals would be used.” As a final step, it would consider initiating rulemaking under TSCA, possibly prohibiting or limiting all products containing over 0.1 % of the chemicals by weight.
The agency notes that MDI and TDI, which it describes as “well known dermal and inhalation sensitisers in the workplace, which can cause asthma, lung damage, and in severe cases death,” are found in residual amounts in polyurethane-based consumer products such as coatings, elastomers, adhesives and sealants used in and around homes or schools. Under potential new-use rules, manufacturers as well as importers could be required to notify the environmental authority at least 90 days before starting or resuming new uses of these chemicals in consumer products at levels above 0.1% by weight.
On its website, EPA provides information about the proposed SNUR on TDI and related compounds, along with instructions on how to provide comments: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/tdi.html and http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/mdi.html.
EPA has called for data on the diisocyanates “to determine if there are allegations of significant adverse effects” and, if so, “initiate a rulemaking for one-time reporting of relevant unpublished health and safety studies.” It also may consider exposure and monitoring studies in “representative locations where commercial products containing the chemicals would be used.” As a final step, it would consider initiating rulemaking under TSCA, possibly prohibiting or limiting all products containing over 0.1 % of the chemicals by weight.
The agency notes that MDI and TDI, which it describes as “well known dermal and inhalation sensitisers in the workplace, which can cause asthma, lung damage, and in severe cases death,” are found in residual amounts in polyurethane-based consumer products such as coatings, elastomers, adhesives and sealants used in and around homes or schools. Under potential new-use rules, manufacturers as well as importers could be required to notify the environmental authority at least 90 days before starting or resuming new uses of these chemicals in consumer products at levels above 0.1% by weight.
On its website, EPA provides information about the proposed SNUR on TDI and related compounds, along with instructions on how to provide comments: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/tdi.html and http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/mdi.html.
20.01.2015 Plasteurope.com [230278-0]
Published on 20.01.2015