WASHINGTON (CN) - The Environmental Protection Agency used test data from the chemical industry to exempt that industry from notifying the EPA 90 days before manufacturing, importing, or processing two benzenesulfonic acid substances used in an optical brightener for food packaging materials.
The industry's two generation study on rats and rabbits allayed the EPA's concerns that C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 220 has developmental and reproductive toxicity sufficient to notify the EPA when it is being used.
Also, according to the EPA, a test for acrylated (long-chain alkyl) glycidal ether "demonstrated concerns for potential chronic environmental toxicity at concentrations as low as 2 parts per billion" but it is readily biodegradable so allowing it to go into streams is fine.
Phenol, 2,2'-[6-(2,4-dibutoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl]bis[5-butoxy- also may be released into water, according to the EPA, since "toxicity testing demonstrated that there were no effects at saturation," even though humans have been poisoned by phenol spills in drinking water.
Click here for details and other new regulations, including requirements for building renovators regarding lead exposure.
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