WASHINGTON — A federal agency has issued new regulations for a phthalate used in PVC production.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a significant new use rule (SNUR) for Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP), requiring any company manufacturing, processing or importing the chemicals to notify EPA 90 days in advance so the agency can evaluate their intended use and, if necessary, take action to prohibit or limit the activity.
“Most uses of DnPP, a phthalate, which can be used in PVC plastics and has been shown to cause developmental and/or reproductive effects in laboratory animals,” the agency said in a news release.
DnPP has been phased out most of U.S. and European PVC production, but to resume its use for anything other than a chemical standard for analytical experiments or evaluation, EPA must be notified, under the new rule.
DnPP is one of five phthalates for which a Consumer Product Safety Commission panel recommended a permanent ban earlier this year. The Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel recommended that DnPP as well as diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) be permanently banned from use in children's toys and childcare articles at levels greater than 0.1 percent.
EPA has been evaluating DnPP and other phthalates since 2012 under the Toxic Substances Control Act.