EPA Announces Peer Review of 1,1-Dichloroethane TSCA Risk Evaluation and 1,2-Dichloroethane Hazard Assessment, Calls for Public Comments on Reviewer Candidates
Released June 13, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the Agency’s Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) will peer review the Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,1-Dichloroethane and the draft hazard assessment supporting the draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloroethane (also known as ethylene dichloride). The Agency is also calling for public comments on candidates under consideration to serve as ad hoc reviewers assisting the SACC.
Peer Review of Risk Evaluation Documents
EPA is conducting risk evaluations of 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 1,1-Dichloroethane is a solvent that is used primarily in industrial applications, such as a reactant for the manufacture of other chemicals or as a laboratory chemical. No consumer uses were identified for 1,1-dichloroethane. 1,2-Dichloroethane is primarily used to manufacture vinyl chloride.
EPA previously planned to use a letter peer review to obtain comments on the 1,1-dichloroethane draft risk evaluation, but the Agency has decided to schedule a SACC meeting to review the draft risk evaluation instead.
In addition to the draft risk evaluation for 1,1-dichloroethane, EPA is also seeking feedback on the draft hazard assessment for 1,2-dichlororethane because data on the toxicity of 1,2-dichloroethane is used to fill gaps in the understanding of the toxicity of 1,1-dichloroethane. This is a well-established risk assessment practice for chemicals that share structural similarities. The draft hazard assessment for 1,2-dichloroethane will also help inform the draft risk evaluation for this chemical, which EPA anticipates releasing for public comment and any necessary peer review at a later date.
The SACC peer review will take place during a public meeting. EPA also plans on holding a preparatory virtual public meeting for the SACC and the public to consider and ask questions regarding the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions and areas of review. Registration information for both meetings will be posted on the peer review website in the coming months.
Public Comments on Peer Reviewers
EPA is currently seeking public comments on potential candidates who are interested and available to serve as ad hoc reviewers for these two chemicals. EPA’s call for public comments follows its March 2024 call for nominations of prospective candidates. EPA will not seek additional nominations for ad hoc reviewers. EPA has confirmed that existing candidates will be available to participate in the SACC review instead of a letter peer review.
Biographies for all interested and available candidates are available via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0114 and through the peer review website. Comments should be submitted to the docket on www.regulations.gov. Comments are due June 28, 2024. When providing comments, do not submit any information you consider to be confidential business information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Members of the public should also be aware that personal contact information, if included in any written comments, may be posted on the internet.
During the nomination and selection process, peer reviewer candidates are asked to submit confidential financial information. This confidential financial information must fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA evaluates the candidates' financial disclosure forms to assess whether there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a loss of impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of the documents under consideration (including previous scientific peer review) before the candidates are considered further.
Comments received from the SACC will inform the Agency’s final risk evaluations and risk management decisions under TSCA.
For more information, contact Alie Muneer, Designated Federal Official, muneer.alie@epa.gov with any questions.