September 12, 2022

EDF Holds Webinar Introducing CRA Framework

On September 7, 2022, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) held a webinar to introduce a cumulative risk assessment (CRA) framework that takes into account multiple exposures to chemical and non-chemical stressors. Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President for Health at EDF, moderated the webinar. According to Vogel, for decades, environmental justice leaders have documented disproportionate chemical exposures to disadvantaged communities. These chemical and social stressors (e.g.,...
September 9, 2022

Final Revision to the Risk Determination for PV29 Finds that PV29, as a Whole Chemical Substance, Presents an Unreasonable Risk to Human Health

On September 6, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the final revision to the risk determination for the Colour Index Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) risk evaluation issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 87 Fed. Reg. 54491. EPA states that the revision to the PV29 risk determination reflects its announced policy changes to ensure the public is protected from unreasonable risks from chemicals in a way that is supported by science and...
September 8, 2022

ECHA Proposes to Identify Nine Substances as SVHCs

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has begun public consultations on nine proposals to identify new substances of very high concern (SVHC). The substances and examples of their uses are: 4,4'-sulphonyldiphenol (bisphenol S; BPS): The substance is used for the manufacture of pulp, paper, and paper products; textile, leather, or fur; and chemicals. Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts:...
September 7, 2022

Register Now for “Environmental, Social, and Governance Issues: A Business Imperative” on October 11, 2022

October 11, 202212:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (EDT) REGISTER NOW Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance is more than an aspiration, and realizing it in real time is not easy. A well-designed ESG strategy can achieve meaningful improvements in corporate performance and provide real value to stakeholders through specific commitments to corporate responsibility. Any such approach, however, must be measurable, transparent, and accountable....
August 30, 2022

EPA Issues Draft Revision to Risk Determination for Carbon Tetrachloride and Finds Carbon Tetrachloride, as a Whole Chemical Substance, Presents an Unreasonable Risk

On August 29, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and requested public comment on a draft revision to the risk determination for the carbon tetrachloride risk evaluation issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 87 Fed. Reg. 52766. EPA states that the draft revision to the carbon tetrachloride risk determination reflects its announced policy changes to ensure the public is protected from unreasonable risks from chemicals in a way...
August 29, 2022

EPA Will Propose to Designate PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on August 26, 2022, that it will propose to designate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), “two of the most widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),” as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The proposal will include the salts and structural isomers of PFOA and PFOS. The rulemaking would require entities...
August 26, 2022

EPA Will Propose Revisions to RMP Rule to Enhance Chemical Safety

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on August 19, 2022, that it will propose revisions to the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule to protect further vulnerable communities from chemical accidents, especially those living near facilities with high accident rates. According to EPA, the “Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention” (SCCAP) rule “would strengthen the existing program and includes new safeguards that have not been addressed in prior RMP...
August 24, 2022

Acta Quoted by Chemical Watch in Article “US EPA to consider all exposures in premarket chemical reviews”

On August 23, 2022, Chemical Watch quoted the Acta Group (Acta®) and Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) memoradum "EPA Will Discontinue Use of Exposure Modeling Thresholds When Assessing Health and Environmental Risks of New Chemicals," regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) plan to discontinue the use of exposure modeling thresholds when assessing the health and environmental risks of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control...
August 23, 2022

Lynn L. Bergeson Quoted by Bloomberg Law in Article “New Chemicals Exposure to Get Closer Look in EPA Policy Update”

On August 22, 2022, Bloomberg Law quoted Lynn L. Bergeson, President, The Acta Group (Acta®), regarding an announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to more closely analyze new chemicals to better understand the extent to which they’ll get into the environment, where people might breathe, touch, or ingest them. Lynn L. Bergeson, managing partner for Bergeson & Campbell PC, which specializes in chemical laws, described EPA’s...
August 23, 2022

Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Quoted by Chemical Watch in Article “Firefighting foam maker sues US EPA over PFAS test order”

On August 22, 2022, Chemical Watch quoted Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, The Acta Group (Acta®), regarding a recent lawsuit by a firefighting foam producer against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for including the producer in the agency’s initial PFAS TSCA test order, saying it neither manufactures nor processes the surfactant 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide betaine (6:2 FTSB) that is subject to it. Rich Engler, director of...