Agency Seeks Input on Improvements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated ChemView, an online tool to find information about nearly 10,000 chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). AGC members have reported that it is sometimes difficult to find useful information on chemicals used in construction – this new resource may assist contractors in evaluating chemicals and their potential hazards, as well as making more informed choices about the products they use on the job site. In addition, there are numerous green building rating systems that now “give points” for avoiding the use of certain chemicals.
EPA has posted additional data and added new functions to its ChemView database to increase the amount of information publicly available on regulated chemicals. ChemView now includes additional health and safety information, data on consent orders, new use rules for chemicals and updates to the “safer chemicals ingredient list.” EPA is also updating its reporting tool and providing new links to pollution-prevention resources.
ChemView searches can be conducted by chemical name or Chemical Abstracts Service number, use, hazard effect, or regulatory action, and the tool can create tailored views of the information on individual chemicals. You can combine a “Use” search with an “Endpoint” search and a “Chemical” search. And you can query for Design for the Environment (DfE) alternatives assessments or Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments, for example. However, ChemView does not contain confidential business information that chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors must provide to the EPA under TSCA.
TSCA gives EPA broad authority to regulate the manufacture, use, distribution in commerce and disposal of chemical substances. TSCA is a federally-managed law overseen by the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and is not delegated to states. Better known examples of TSCA chemicals include asbestos, lead-based paints, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Other TSCA-regulated chemicals are found in products used on construction sites, including: caulks and adhesives, coatings and sealers, paints, acids for cleaning masonry surfaces, cleaning solvents, grouts and mortars, cement and asphalt products/additives, soil additives used for stabilization, and concrete-curing compounds, sprayed polyurethane, etc. – many of which are cataloged in the new and improved ChemView tool.
The agency is seeking feedback on how individuals are using the system. EPA will use the information from the survey to continuously improve ChemView.
Chemicals and Green Building Rating Systems
In varying ways, each of the major green building rating systems addresses chemicals found in materials and improving indoor air quality. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system makes available optional credits for disclosing product ingredients and/or avoiding certain ingredients. The Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rewards life cycle assessment, including using environmental product declarations. The Living Building Challenge, developed by International Living Future Institute, has a “red list” (PDF, pg 44) of materials or chemicals to avoid. And the newly released WELL Building Standard, founded by Delos, seeks to reduce source chemicals or pathogens in the indoor environment. It is clear from this list that contractors will have to gather and report on more product information when working on green buildings. It is possible that EPA’s ChemView may be a helpful resource for green builders, which is something users may want to consider when providing the requested feedback to EPA.
Related News
Twenty-three chemicals, including bisphenol A (BPA), seven phthalates and two flame retardants, have been added to EPA’s list of chemicals for assessment under TSCA.
As EPA readies to complete a chemical assessment for the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), the agency has already released its final report on safer alternatives to HBCD. Although the agency says HBCD has “persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic” characteristics it is being used in building insulation materials, such as expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) and extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), to meet fire safety standards. EPS and XPS are often found in attics, ceilings, roofs, walls and flooring.
EPA recently completed a chemical assessment for methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane (DCM), which is commonly used in paint strippers. As previously reported by AGC, EPA found that workers who use paint strippers containing DCM are at risk for cancer and other health problems.
As explained above, chemical data like the results of the DCM risk assessment and the HBCD alternatives assessment are one type of information that can be accessed using the ChemView online tool.
For more information, please contact AGC’s Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org.