TSCA Tuesday: Updates on PV29, Vinyl Chloride, Formaldehyde, and More

Progress on TSCA-mandated chemical risk evaluations has continued in the New Year, with EPA announcing updates related to Pigment Violet 29 (PV29), formaldehyde, diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and vinyl chloride already this month.  

Note: The TSCA Activity Tracker has been updated accordingly. 

Proposed Rule for Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) 

Published on January 14, 2025, proposed regulations to address health risks from the chemical Color Index Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) would allow for continued use of the chemical. The proposed rule adds worker protections that apply to PV29 in dry powder form only. 

In short, the proposed regulations require covered employers to: 

• Block off a PV29 work area and limit employee access,
• Provide respiratory protection for potentially exposed workers, and
• Update/revise shipping labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before February 28, 2025.

New Key Definitions for PV29

The proposed rule defines terms that are key to determining who must comply with the new risk management requirements for PV29. Two of the key terms defined are “regulated PV29” and “PV29 regulated area”. 

"Regulated PV29" means:

“neat PV29 in a dry powder form or in dry powder form when mixed with other types of dry powder pigments.” 

"PV29 regulated area" means:

“an area where a regulated PV29 container is open or in use, an area where equipment containing regulated PV29 is in use or has not yet been cleaned, or an area where cleaning activities are occurring.” 

Risk Evaluations: Formaldehyde, DINP, and DCHP

Also this month, EPA announced the availability of final risk evaluations for two substances, diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and formaldehyde. EPA found that both substances present an unreasonable risk to human health.

EPA announced the final risk evaluation for formaldehyde on January 3. 
EPA announced the final risk evaluation for DINP on January 15. 

Now that EPA has identified unreasonable risk, the agency must address these risks with restrictions, chemical management standards, and/or employee protections.

In addition to the final risk evaluations above, EPA announced the availability of a draft risk evaluation for dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) on January 17. EPA's preliminary determination is that DCHP presents an unreasonable risk to human health, and the agency will take comments on the draft until March 10, 2025.

Vinyl Chloride: Draft Scope for Risk Evaluation

On January 16, EPA released a draft scope of the risk evaluation for vinyl chloride. The scope document lays out key details about how EPA will conduct the risk evaluation mandated by TSCA, including which chemical uses (or “conditions of use”) will be considered, the potential for exposure, and the substance’s known environmental and health hazards.

Conditions of use for vinyl chloride that EPA plans to evaluate include manufacturing (including importing), processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal, as well as industrial, commercial, and consumer uses. EPA designated vinyl chloride as a high priority for risk evaluation in December 2024, along with four other chemicals.

EPA will take comments on the draft scope for vinyl chloride until March 3, 2025.

Complete Environmental Regulations Training

Want a clearer idea of how major EPA air, water, and chemical programs all fit together to affect your site's activities? Don't miss the the next Complete Environmental Regulations Webinar on January 30–31 at Lion.com.

Attend to identify the regulations that apply to your facility and locate key requirements to comply with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Try the interactive online course!

Tags: environmental compliance, TSCA, TSCA Section 6, vinyl chloride