Citing risks to workers and the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it will move to regulate dozens of uses of five widely used phthalate chemicals.

 

The decision follows the release of final risk evaluations for Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Dicyclohexyl Phthalate (DCHP), Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP), and Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP), chemicals commonly used to make plastics more flexible in construction and industrial applications.

 

“All five chemicals pose unreasonable risks to workers and to the environment,” the agency said, after using “gold standard science” and independent peer review to reach its conclusions. The EPA emphasized that its regulatory efforts will target specific uses that pose the highest risks.

 

“Our gold standard science delivered clear answers that these phthalates pose unreasonable risk to workers in specific industrial settings and to the environment,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We'll work directly with stakeholders to develop targeted protections that keep workers safe and protect our environment. This is exactly what science-based environmental protection should look like.”

 

The EPA noted that phthalates can cause hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption, but stressed that health risks only occur above certain exposure levels. 

 

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation process, the agency focuses on regulated uses, not exposures from food, cosmetics, medical devices, or other consumer products overseen by the FDA or Consumer Product Safety Commission. For consumer uses evaluated under TSCA, the EPA found no products causing unreasonable risk.

 

In its analysis, the EPA incorporated updated dermal exposure modeling and replaced rodent data with human data wherever possible, enhancing the accuracy of its findings. 

 

The agency also conducted a cumulative exposure assessment for individuals aged four and older. For children under four, including infants who mouth toys, the EPA used conservative models to ensure even the youngest and most vulnerable were considered.

 

The next step for the agency is to develop rules aimed at eliminating these identified risks. In doing so, the EPA plans extensive consultations with workers, businesses, labor groups, and communities to design targeted, practical protections. 

 

Potential measures under consideration include personal protective equipment, engineering controls, and alternative methods to ensure effective, implementable safety solutions.