EPA to 'Reset' TSCA Inventory

As part of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Chemical Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP), EPA announced its intent to update the current Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory of industrial chemicals by "resetting" it to more accurately reflect the chemicals in commerce. EPA also plans to develop a program to challenge the U.S. chemical industry to provide health and safety information on inorganic high-production volume chemicals.

[See press release] [See ChAMP website]

To fulfill its part of the SPP commitment, the United States will, by 2012, complete screening-level hazard and risk characterizations and initiate action, as appropriate, on more than 6,750* chemicals produced above 25,000 pounds per year. The U.S. commitment to complete assessments and initiate needed action on these chemicals will apply the results of EPA’s work on High-Production Volume (HPV) chemicals - those chemicals produced or imported in the United States in quanties of 1 million pounds or more per year - and extend its efforts to moderate production volume (MPV) chemicals - those produced or imported in quantities above 25,000 and less than 1 million pounds per year.

As an initial effort under ChAMP, EPA began, in 2007, posting screening-level hazard characterizations and expanded this effort in 2008 by posting risk-based prioritizations (RBPs). The RBPs summarize basic hazard and exposure information on HPV chemicals, identify potential risks, note scientific issues and uncertainties, and indicate the initial priority being assigned by the Agency for potential future appropriate action.