The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving ahead with its review of 1,2-dichloropropane, releasing a draft risk evaluation that finds the chemical could pose an unreasonable risk to workers and some consumers under multiple conditions of use.
The draft, released September 2 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), identifies significant contributions to unreasonable risk for workers and occupational non-users exposed through inhalation and skin contact under 11 conditions of use.
EPA also preliminarily found that the consumer uses of 1,2-dichloropropane—as a cleaner, polish or wax—could contribute to unreasonable risk through inhalation and dermal exposure.
1,2-Dichloropropane is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. It is used in industrial and commercial applications, including as a laboratory chemical and as a reactant in processing. The chemical has been recognized as likely to be carcinogenic to humans, prompting EPA to examine both cancer and non-cancer health effects.
Although 1,2-dichloropropane has not appeared in US manufactured products since 2022, EPA included discontinued consumer uses in its evaluation because imported products could still contain the chemical and enter American homes and businesses.
The agency is seeking information about specific imported products that may contain 1,2-dichloropropane so those potential exposures can be considered before the evaluation is finalized.
EPA assessed risks throughout the chemical’s lifecycle, including manufacturing and import, processing, distribution, industrial and commercial use, and disposal. The review also examined potential consumer exposure from products used as cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Under TSCA, EPA also focused on potentially exposed or susceptible populations, including children and pregnant women. The agency said the draft relies on chemical-specific monitoring data, exposure modeling and other available scientific information.
At the same time, EPA’s draft does not identify unreasonable risk to the general population, including fenceline communities, or to the environment. The agency is specifically seeking additional data that could change that preliminary conclusion.
Existing protections for 1,2-dichloropropane remain in effect. The release of the draft does not change current safeguards.
EPA will consider public comments and review by its Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals before issuing a final risk evaluation. If the agency ultimately confirms unreasonable risk, it could propose risk-management measures under TSCA Section 6(a), including measures addressing consumer products imported into the United States.
EPA stressed that the findings are not final and could change following public feedback and external peer review of the underlying science.
The agency will accept public comments for 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the draft’s availability. Comments can be submitted to the 1,2-dichloropropane TSCA docket, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0428, at Regulations.gov.
EPA is encouraging comments from workers, employers, health researchers, consumers, affected facilities and members of the public before the agency makes its final determination.
