U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it will move to regulate dozens of applications of five widely used phthalate chemicals, describing the action as focused on environmental and workplace risks.

Separately, EPA announced availability of the final TSCA risk evaluations for butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). In that notice, EPA said it determined these substances pose unreasonable risk to human health and or the environment driven by specific conditions of use and that TSCA requires EPA to initiate risk management actions to address the unreasonable risk.

EPA’s notice also states these phthalates are used as plasticizers and appear in adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings, among other applications. 

Sources:

EPA Announces Intent to Regulate Dozens of Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals to Protect Workers and Environment

Supporting EPA govinfo.gov source

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