U.S. EPA Focuses on Five Harmful Substances

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking to fast-track a risk evaluation for five PBT substances. The substances include decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) and hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), both of which are considered Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and listed on the Stockholm Convention. The remaining substances are pentachlorothiophenol, tris(4-isopropylphenyl) phosphate, and 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl) phenol (TBP), which can be used as a lubricant or fuel.
As a first step, the Agency will identify the sources of the substance and estimate the levels of exposure. In a second step, it will be able to define specific restrictions.
Only a short while ago, a majority of the member states of the EU voted for strict limitations on the use of DecaBDE and its inclusion in Annex XVII of REACH.
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