EPA Publishes Draft Risk Evaluation for Carbon Tetrachloride; Announces Public Peer Review Meetings

On Jan. 27, 2020, EPA published its draft risk evaluation for carbon tetrachloride.  Under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), EPA is required to conduct risk evaluations to determine whether existing chemicals present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use.  Carbon tetrachloride is used as a solvent in the manufacturing of chlorinated compounds and petrochemicals.  

In the draft risk evaluation, EPA found preliminary unreasonable risk of injury to human health for various conditions of use to occupational non-users.  EPA, however, did not present any preliminary unreasonable risk findings to the environment or to workers for any of the evaluated conditions of use.  A final determination that a condition of use presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment will move the uses into the risk management phase under TSCA.  This means that the agency will have to regulate those risks, which can include use-restrictions or bans. 

EPA has submitted this evaluation for peer review through its Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals.  The 2-day peer review in-person meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25-26, 2020.  EPA will also hold a preparatory virtual meeting on Feb. 4, 2020.  You can find more information and register for the meeting here.

• Comment deadline: Mar. 27, 2020.
• Read the draft risk evaluation and other supporting documents here and submit comments here.
• Advocacy contact: Tabby Zeb at (202) 205-6790.