EPA Finalizes TSCA Risk Evaluation for TCEP

EPA announced the final risk evaluation for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). TCEP is used in flame retardants and polymers. This final risk evaluation has determined that TCEP poses unreasonable risk to human health, aquatic species, and the environment. These risks include kidney cancer and neurological, reproductive, and developmental health effects to workers and consumers, and people that eat higher quantities of fish. Under TSCA, EPA must now initiate a stakeholder engagement process to develop restrictions on the manufacture, processing, distribution, use or disposal of the chemical, such as banning or phasing out its use. For drinking water, these TSCA actions will help prevent TCEP from contaminating drinking water sources in the future.

Currently, TCEP is on EPA’s drinking water Contaminant Candidate List 5 (CCL5) but has not been monitored under the current or previous Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules (UCMRs) and is not being considered for the upcoming UCMR6. EPA has not indicated any other actions on assessing or addressing TCEP in drinking water at this time. For reference, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has a health-based guidance value of 5 parts per billion for TCEP in drinking water.

For more information about the TSCA TCEP risk evaluation, visit EPA’s website.