EPA Proposes TSCA Approach for Evaluating Cumulative Chemical Risks

On February 27, EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention announced the release of two draft documents that are being submitted to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for peer review: “Draft Proposed Principles of Cumulative Risk Assessment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)” and “Draft Proposed Approach for Cumulative Risk Assessment of High-Priority Phthalates and a Manufacturer-Requested Phthalate under TSCA.” This action will help EPA develop the capability under TSCA to examine risk to people from exposure to multiple chemicals with similar effects. Previously, EPA generally looked at risks posed by a single chemical. The proposed principles and approach are not cumulative risk assessments and do not make risk findings.

Public comments are being accepted on www.regulations.gov (Docket No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0918) through April 28, 2023. EPA will also hold a public virtual meeting of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) on May 8-11, 2023, to peer review the cumulative risk assessment principles and framework. Information on registering to attend the public virtual meeting will be available in April 2023 on the SACC website. For more information, visit the EPA website.