EPA Unveils New Peer Review approach for Two Solvents under TSCA

On June 13, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that its Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) will conduct a peer review of two key assessments: the Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,1-dichloroethane and the draft hazard assessment supporting the Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,2-dichloroethane (commonly referred to as ethylene dichloride). Additionally, EPA is seeking public comments on potential candidates for ad hoc reviewer roles to support the SACC in this review process. 

Comprehensive Review of Industrial Solvent Risk Assessment Documents under TSCA 
 
EPA is conducting risk evaluations for two solvents, 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 1,1-dichloroethane is used in industrial settings, mainly for chemical production and laboratory work, with no consumer applications. In contrast, 1,2-dichloroethane is primarily used in the production of vinyl chloride. 

EPA originally planned to gather feedback on the draft risk evaluation for 1,1-dichloroethane through a letter peer review but has now opted for a more thorough review by convening the SACC. 

EPA is also seeking input on the draft hazard assessment for 1,2-dichloroethane, which provides crucial toxicity data to help understand the toxicity of 1,1-dichloroethane due to their structural similarities. This assessment will inform the upcoming draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloroethane that EPA will release for public comment and peer review in the future. 

The SACC will conduct its peer review in a public meeting, preceded by a virtual session to discuss draft charge issues and review scope. Registration details for these meetings will be posted on EPA’s peer review website in the coming months. 

Public Comments on Ad Hoc Peer Reviewers 

EPA is seeking public input on potential candidates to serve as ad hoc peer reviewers for the risk evaluations of 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane. Following a previous call for nominations in March 2024, no new nominations will be accepted. EPA will proceed with the previously identified candidates for the SACC review, which will replace the originally planned letter peer review. 

Biographies of these candidates can be accessed in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0114  and on EPA’s peer review website. Public comments on the candidates must be submitted to www.regulations.gov by June 28, 2024. Commenters should avoid including confidential business information or sensitive personal data, as this information may be publicly posted online. 

During the selection process, candidates will be required to submit confidential financial disclosures detailing their employment, investments, and research funding sources. These disclosures will be reviewed by EPA to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest, biases, or prior involvement with the documents under review. 

Feedback from the SACC will be crucial in guiding EPA's final risk evaluations and influencing its risk management decisions under TSCA.