The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a new rule to enhance the process of evaluating the health and environmental risks of chemicals, which will be difficult for future administrations to alter.
Britt E. Erickson reports for Chemical & Engineering News.
In short:
- The new rule strengthens the current procedures under the Toxic Substances Control Act for evaluating chemicals on the market.
- It now includes assessments of chemical exposures in air and water and considers combined risks from multiple chemicals.
- The process also adjusts risk assessments by not assuming protective gear usage among workers and incorporates considerations for national security and critical infrastructure uses.
Key quote:
"This rule charts the path for our risk evaluations to ensure we meet the core objective to protect public health under our nation’s premier chemical safety law."
— Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Why this matters:
Chemicals can pose a wide range of health risks, including respiratory issues, cancer, reproductive abnormalities, and neurological disorders. By evaluating the risks associated with chemicals, the EPA can set stronger regulations that help prevent exposure to harmful substances, thus protecting public health.
