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New Requirement to Help Assess Potential Chemical Risks

Release Date: 03/17/2006
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov

(03/17/06) EPA today issued a final test rule that will enable the Federal and State governments, industry, academia, the public and the Agency in evaluating potential health and environmental risks associated high production volume (HPV) chemicals.  The rule requires 52 manufacturers of 17 HPV chemicals to conduct screening level tests related to physical and chemical properties, toxic effects and environmental fate, and to provide this information to EPA.  HPV chemicals are manufactured or imported into the United States in amounts over 1 million pounds per year.  To date, more than 400 companies have voluntarily committed to making information available on 2200 HPV chemicals as part of the Agency's High Production Volume Challenge Program.  The 17 chemicals were not sponsored under the program. 

Copy of the rule: epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2006/March/Day-16/t2483.htm  

Additional information on HPV program: epa.gov/chemrtk/index.htm