Risk Management for Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate (TCEP)
Below is information on EPA actions to manage risks from tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). TCEP is used primarily as a flame retardant and plasticizer in polymers used in aerospace equipment and products, and as a flame retardant in paint and coating manufacturing.
On this page:
- Managing risks found in the 2024 final risk evaluation
- Opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement
On other pages:
- Learn how EPA manages unreasonable risks from chemicals currently on the market.
- View a list of chemicals undergoing risk evaluation, including docket numbers and agency points of contact.
Managing Risks Found in the 2020 Final Risk Evaluation
EPA completed the final risk evaluation for TCEP under amended TSCA in September 2024. In the final risk evaluation, EPA found that TCEP presents unreasonable risk of kidney cancer and noncancer health effects to workers, consumers, and potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations, like pregnant women, infants that breastfeed, children, people living in fenceline communities near facilities that emit TCEP, and people and Tribes whose diets include large amounts of fish.
EPA found that TCEP presents unreasonable risk of kidney cancer and noncancer health effects to workers and consumers. EPA determined that seven out of 21 conditions of use of TCEP contribute significantly to the unreasonable risk to workers:
- Manufacturing imports;
- Paint and coating manufacturing;
- Polymers used in aerospace equipment and products;
- Aerospace equipment and products and automotive articles and replacement parts containing TCEP;
- Paints and coatings for industrial use;
- Paints and coatings for commercial use; and
- Laboratory chemicals.
EPA found unreasonable risk to consumers from three out of 21 conditions of use: fabric and textile products; foam seating and bedding products; and wood and engineered wood products. Consumers are most at risk when they breathe or ingest dust from TCEP that comes off of fabrics, textiles, foam and wood products.
EPA found unreasonable risks for people who eat large amounts of fish contaminated with TCEP. The chemical can accumulate in fish if they live in a stream or other waterbody with high concentrations of TCEP. These concerns are particularly notable for groups that eat higher quantities of fish, such as subsistence fishers and Tribes.
EPA assessed the impact of TCEP on aquatic and terrestrial species and found that TCEP poses unreasonable risk to aquatic species like fish and aquatic invertebrates.
The next step in the process required by TSCA is addressing these risks. There are several actions EPA could take to address these risks, including regulations to prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, distribution in the marketplace, use, or disposal of this chemical substance, or other options provided under TSCA as applicable. EPA is now in the process of developing ways to address the unreasonable risks identified and has up to one year to propose and take public comments on any risk management actions.
Opportunities for Public and Stakeholder Engagement
There will be opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement as EPA pursues the risk management process for this chemical. Similar to the risk evaluation process, there will also be opportunities for public comment as EPA works to propose and finalize risk management actions for the conditions of use where TCEP presents an unreasonable risk.
- View a list of various public and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to risk management.
- You can reach out to the EPA point of contact for this chemical, listed at the top, right of this page, for more information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
- You can also stay informed by signing for our email alerts or checking the public docket at www.regulations.gov.