Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency will propose risk management regulations for 1,2-dichloroethane, a colorless liquid frequently used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic.
On May 5, EPA published a final risk evaluation stating that 1,2 DCA, a carcinogenic substance also known as ethylene dichloride, presents “unreasonable risk” to workers under 15 conditions of use. They include:
- Domestic manufacture and import
- Processing as an intermediate reactant in petrochemical manufacturing, plastic material and resin manufacturing, and basic inorganic chemical manufacturing
- Processing – incorporation into formulation, mixture or reaction product – adhesives and sealants; oxidizing/reducing agents; degreasing and cleaning solvents; and pesticide, fertilizer and other agricultural chemical manufacturing
- Recycling
- Disposal
The agency says the unreasonable risk to workers predominantly is linked to inhalation and skin exposure. The substance is among 20 chemicals EPA, in late 2019, designated as high priority for risk evaluation under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which the Lautenberg Act amended, EPA must issue within one year a proposed risk management rule for the substance and publish a final rule within two years.
