EPA Seeks Comments on HHCB Fragrance and Phthalic Anhydride Risk Evaluations

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking feedback on separate draft risk evaluations for 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran, known as HHCB, and phthalic anhydride.

HHCB Draft Risk Evaluation

In a draft risk evaluation published April 14, EPA states that HHCB, used in air care products, perfumes and cleaning products and sold commercially as Galaxolide, does not pose unreasonable risk under working conditions. This marks the first time since the 2016 Lautenberg Act amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act that an EPA risk evaluation under Section 6 has found zero unreasonable risk. EPA assessed risks under 22 conditions of use using monitoring data and modeling and described its approach as following gold standard scientific practices. The European Union and the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme support the finding.

Environmental organization Weaving Voices for Health and Justice has cited studies on HHCB’s potential for endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and mutagenicity or genotoxicity, as well as research on Galaxolide contamination in the Great Lakes. At press time the group had not yet prepared formal comments but expressed ongoing concern about environmental and human health impacts.

Phthalic Anhydride Draft Risk Evaluation

EPA is also accepting comments on a draft risk evaluation for phthalic anhydride, a reactant used in adhesives, laboratory chemicals, paints, coatings and plastics. Preliminary findings indicate the substance presents unreasonable risk to workers under 36 conditions of use. Specific conditions listed include domestic manufacture and import, industrial use in construction and building materials covering large surface areas, industrial use in paints and coatings, industrial use in adhesives and sealants, and processing in rubber product manufacturing.

Comment and Review Timeline

The deadline for submitting comments on both draft evaluations is June 15. As required under TSCA, EPA has scheduled a virtual meeting of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern on June 8-12 to review the documents before final risk evaluations are published. HHCB and phthalic anhydride are among 20 chemicals EPA designated as high-priority for risk evaluation in late 2019.

According to Safety+Health Magazine, these evaluations represent ongoing EPA work under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act. Additional details are available in the original Safety+Health Magazine reporting at https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/epa-invites-comment-on-controversial-fragrance-and-one-other-chemical/.