EPA Announces Environmental Justice Consultations on Risk Management Rulemakings for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos and Pigment Violet 29

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites environmental justice communities and stakeholders to participate in environmental justice consultations regarding the development of risk management actions under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos and PV29.

The environmental justice consultation period will extend from today through August 13, 2021. The agency will hold two identical consultation webinars, one on June 1, 2021 and the other on June 9, 2021. EPA is offering these repeated sessions to increase opportunities for participation. Both sessions will provide an overview of the TSCA risk management requirements, the findings from the final risk evaluations, the tools available to manage the unreasonable risks from Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos and PV29, and an opportunity for input on environmental justice concerns. These consultations are open to the public, and EPA is inviting national, local, and non-governmental organizations, communities, and other interested stakeholders to participate.

In addition to these environmental justice consultations, EPA is implementing a robust outreach effort on risk management that includes consultations with small businesses, state and local governments, and tribes. There will also be an open public comment period on proposed risk management actions.

Find registration information for the environmental justice consultations and more information on EPA's risk management outreach at https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-existing-chemicals-under-tsca.

While outreach and stakeholder engagement on risk management activities for these chemicals moves forward, EPA is also reviewing final risk evaluations for both chemicals to ensure that they reflect the best available science and protect human health and the environment, in accordance with the Executive Orders and other direction provided by the Biden-Harris Administration. The agency will keep stakeholders updated as decisions are made and next steps are determined.

Background: 

Under TSCA, EPA is required to evaluate the risks associated with existing chemicals in commerce using the best available science before taking action to address any unreasonable risks. The agency issued a final risk evaluation for PV29 in January 2021 and one for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos in December 2020. The final risk evaluations for PV29 and Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos show unreasonable risks to workers and occupational non-users based on certain conditions of use. Additionally, Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos shows unreasonable risks to consumers and bystanders based on certain conditions of use. EPA is now moving to risk management for these chemicals, the next step in the process required by TSCA.

Learn more about the risk evaluation process required by TSCA.

Learn more about risk management for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos.

Learn more about risk management for PV29.