HPV chemicals refer to substances produced or used in the United States in quantities exceeding 1 million pounds annually, involving approximately 2,800 substances.
The EPA's original HPV Challenge Program was a voluntary initiative by companies. It covered a wide range of products, including personal care, home cleaning, home repair, and automotive products. The program encouraged companies to disclose information about the health and environmental impacts of HPV chemicals. Since the program's inception, U.S. companies have provided information on over 2,200 HPV chemicals.
On March 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the elimination of certain testing requirements for six substances and all testing requirements for four other substances. This announcement was based on information from the first batch of testing rule announcements for certain high-production volume (HPV) substances.
The four substances for which all testing requirements have been cancelled are:
Ø acetyl chloride (CAS No. 75–36–5);
Ø imidodicarbonic diamide (CAS No. 108–19–0);
Ø methane, isocyanato- (CAS No. 624–83–9);
Ø urea, reaction products with formaldehyde (CAS No. 68611–64–3)
The six substances for which some testing requirements have been cancelled are:
Ø 9,10–anthracenedione (CAS No. 84–65–1);
Ø chlorododecane (CAS No. 112–52–7);
Ø phenol, 4,4′-methylenebis [2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)]- (CAS No. 118–82–1);
Ø methanesulfinic acid, hydroxyl-,monosodium salt (CAS No. 149–44–0);
Ø benzenesulfonic acid, [[4-[[4-(phenylamino)phenyl][4-(phenylimino)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]methyl]phenyl]amino]- (CAS No. 1324–76–1);
Ø C.I. Solvent Black7 (CAS No. 8005–02–5)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that the removal of these testing requirements was to avoid duplication and unnecessary testing. Detailed reasons for the removal of each chemical substance were published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2012. A public meeting regarding the final rule will be held in Washington, D.C. on April 16, 2012. If the EPA receives no objections, the rule will officially take effect on May 15, 2012.
Federal RegisterFederal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-16/pdf/2012-6430.pdf
Sources: Chemical Watch (2012-03-19) (Compiled by PIDC)
