EPA Takes Next Step in TSCA Review of Flame Retardant to Better Protect Workers and the Environment by Releasing Draft Risk Evaluation TBBPA

Released June 12, 2026

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of the widely used flame retardant TBBPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing its draft risk evaluation. TBBPA is found in electrical and electronic products, batteries, fabric, textile and leather products, laboratory chemicals, and building and construction materials for commercial and consumer uses — meaning decisions here can directly affect the air Americans breathe at work and at home.

Using gold standard science — including real-world monitoring data and modeling — the draft identifies unreasonable risk to workers from inhalation exposure (three conditions of use) and unreasonable risk to the environment from releases to surface water during certain processing and disposal activities (two conditions of use). The draft did not find unreasonable risk to consumers or the general population.

These are draft findings, and EPA wants feedback. The 60-day public comment period is a critically important step, it is how EPA hears from independent experts, workers, communities, and the public so that the final evaluation reflects the largest possible universe of gold standard science and is fully protective. Consistent with this Administration's commitment to radical transparency, EPA specifically welcomes additional data, including local monitoring and biomonitoring, information on potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations (such as fenceline communities and Tribes with high fish consumption), and information on cumulative exposure to multiple flame retardants.

In the draft, EPA used real-world monitoring data and modeling to assess exposure for workers (breathing in dust or vapor and skin contact), consumers (breathing, skin contact, and ingestion), and the general population (drinking water, fish, and soil). EPA also evaluated risks to fish, amphibians, and other aquatic and land organisms, and has strong confidence in many of the aquatic risk estimates.

All current protections for TBBPA remain in place while EPA completes this review; releasing a draft does not alter any existing safeguards. After peer review and public comment, EPA will move promptly to finalize the evaluation. If EPA continues to find unreasonable risk, it will propose risk management actions under TSCA section 6(a) to reduce or eliminate those exposures in workplaces and the environment, on a clear and accountable timeline.

This evaluation is draft and does not represent EPA's final determination regarding the risks posed by this chemical; findings and conclusions may change based on feedback received during public comment and peer review.

Upon publication of the Federal Register notice announcing its availability, EPA will accept public comments for 60 days in the TBBPA TSCA docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0462 on www.regulations.gov. The draft will also undergo independent peer review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) at a public meeting in August. EPA will carefully consider all input before finalizing the evaluation in accordance with TSCA requirements.