What: On May 5, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloroethane.
Why: 1,2-dichloroethane (also known as ethylene dichloride) is a volatile, colorless, oily liquid with a chloroform-like odor that is primarily used in the synthesis of vinyl chloride. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the purpose of a risk evaluation is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.
In the final risk evaluation, the EPA determined that 1,2-dichloroethane presents an unreasonable risk to human health, driven by worker inhalation and dermal exposures, under 15 of 20 conditions of use (COUs). Twelve of these COUs also present an unreasonable risk to occupational non-users—workers who are in the workplace but do not directly handle the chemical. The EPA did not identify an unreasonable risk to consumers, the general population, or the environment under any COU evaluated.
Action: As required by TSCA, the EPA will now develop a rule to protect workers from the identified risks. The agency will consider health effects, exposure levels, the chemical’s societal benefits, and economic impacts. Input from workers, companies, and the public will be crucial to ensure the rule protects health while remaining practical for businesses.
If you are a small entity that uses 1,2-dichloroethane and believe you could be affected by the EPA’s upcoming risk management rulemaking, please contact the Office of Advocacy.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE:
FINAL RISK EVALUATION:
Risk Evaluation for 1,2-Dichloroethane
CONTACT:
Nick Goldstein
EMAIL:
Regulatory Alerts
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