Announcements

Design for the Environment (DfE) is not currently pursuing an alternatives assessment for phthalates because this group of chemicals has been added to the TSCA Work Plan based on high hazard and exposure ranking. The phthalates identified in the Work Plan will be subject to a problem formulation that may result in a risk assessment, and, if appropriate, following risk assessment, EPA will conduct risk management. The risk management may include an alternatives assessment similar to those already conducted by DfE to inform the public about available alternatives.

Background

Phthalates are used in industrial and consumer products, primarily as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. They are also used in medical devices, beauty products, textiles, paints, food packaging, dental material, and paper.

Milestones

There have been a number of efforts to understand toxicity and related issues for phthalates, including the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) on Phthalates, convened by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The DfE partnership on Alternatives to Certain Phthalates, which includes over 300 stakeholders, representing industry, manufacturing, environmental and public health advocates, other government agencies and academic researchers, recognized that expert panel determinations, such as the CHAP report, will help inform our work on the alternatives assessment.

See all publications from this partnership

*Design for the Environment (DfE) is not currently pursuing an alternatives assessment for phthalates because this group of chemicals has been added to the TSCA Work Plan based on high hazard and exposure ranking. The phthalates identified in the Work Plan will be subject to a problem formulation that may result in a risk assessment, and, if appropriate, EPA will conduct risk management at that time. The risk management may include an alternatives assessment similar to those evaluated and written by DfE to inform the public about available alternatives.

Partnership Participants