“This is one of the most important chemical review processes ever undertaken by the EPA.”
Brian Bienkowski for Environmental Health News
Vinyl chloride is used primarily to make polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) plastics. The chemical is already classified by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a carcinogen, and is linked
to higher rates of lung and liver cancer, as well as liver disease, neurological problems and miscarriage. Billions of pounds are produced annually in the U.S.
It is one of five chemicals the EPA will review under
TSCA, which is the primary chemical safety law in the U.S. The other chemicals
include acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzenamine, and MBOCA.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA has made
significant progress implementing the 2016 amendments to strengthen our
nation’s chemical safety laws after years of mismanagement and delay. Today
marks an important step forward,” assistant administrator for the Office of
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff said in a statement.
Under TSCA, the EPA will examine all exposure routes —
including air emissions, drinking water and soil contamination — as well as
workplace and accident exposure.
The latter is especially significant as on Feb. 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying a long list of toxic chemicals — including vinyl chloride — caught fire as it approached East Palestine, Ohio.
The train derailed and the cars burned for three days. Months after the incident, residents,
despite reassurances from the EPA and other agencies, were experiencing myriad
health problems. Many residents left and never
returned.
“We have seen firsthand what vinyl chloride can do to a community,” Hilary Flint, vice president of Unity Council for the East Palestine Train Derailment and director of communications and community engagement for Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community, said in a statement. “This is a step in the right direction and we will continue to fight for a total vinyl chloride ban.
The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical
manufacturers, said it appreciates the “agency working to engage the public
early in the process,” and encouraged the EPA to put “science first” in its
review.
“Gathering the most relevant data to inform future
decision-making will be critical. Anything less will add regulatory burden,
cost, delays, and impede progress to a sustainable and circular economy,” the
Council said in a written statement.
Environmental justice
An April report from
Toxic-Free Future found that vinyl chloride particularly threatens communities
of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the U.S. due to
pollution from plastics manufacturing plants.
The report found 19 PVC factories in the U.S. released
more than 400,000 pounds of vinyl chloride into the air in 2021. Five companies
– Westlake Chemical, Formosa Plastics, Occidental Chemical, Shintech and Orbia
(Mexichem) – were the worst offenders.
Roughly 373,262 Americans live within three miles of a
vinyl chloride or PVC manufacturing facility or PVC waste disposal facility,
according to the report, and 63% are people of color. In addition, residents
living in the three-mile radius earn an income 37% below the national average.
Vinyl chloride ban
Many environmental and health organizations welcomed the
EPA’s announcement.
“This is one of the most important chemical review
processes ever undertaken by the EPA. I applaud the EPA for launching this
review,” Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Regional
Administrator, said in a statement. Beyond Plastics has called on the EPA to
ban vinyl chloride.
The EPA announced means the agency will now examine the
chemicals to see if they’re “high priority substances,” which is determined by
the hazard and exposure potential of each contaminant. If they are determined
high priority, a further risk evaluation starts to determine restrictions or a
ban.
You can read more about the EPA’s TSCA process, and watch for a public comment period, here.
Brian
Bienkowski is the senior news editor at Environmental Health News.