EPA found certain uses of two chemicals used in plastics are associated with developmental and reproductive health issues and potentially cancer, according to the first risk assessments published under this new Trump administration.
The draft risk evaluations for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) conclude roughly half of the conditions of use assessed for each chemical pose unreasonable risks to human health and the environment. That determination, if finalized, means EPA must regulate those chemical uses to minimize harms under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
The evaluations mark the expected shift away from language characterizing the “whole chemical,” a step the Biden administration added in its review framework to help the public digest wonky toxicity assessments.
EPA still largely stuck with the use-by-use approach.
