Status of polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran testing and reporting under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Abstract

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), under the authority granted by Sections 4 and 8 of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), has promulgated a testing and reporting Rule that requires manufacturers or importers of eleven chlorinated or brominated chemicals, structurally related to dioxins and furans, to submit analytical testing protocols for approval and carry out testing to determine whether the chemicals contain halogenated dioxins and furans above limits of quantitation set forth in the Rule. Twenty-one submissions, five for chlorinated compounds and 16 for brominated compounds, have been received under this provision of the Rule. Testing data for the chlorinated submissions have been received and have been reviewed by the USEPA. In addition, manufacturers of 29 precursors chemicals are required to submit reports describing the process conditions under which the chemicals are produced. To date, 19 chemical manufacturers have submitted 85 reports covering 93 processes employing 16 of the precursors identified in the Rule. Also, as required by the Rule, existing test data has been submitted for 16 chemicals and health and safety data has been submitted for 48 chemicals. No submissions of worker allegations of adverse health effects have been received.