July 6, 2010
A rule (PDF) (18 pp., 121 KB, about PDF) takes effect today that will increase protections against lead-paint poisoning by eliminating the ability of owner-occupants of older housing to "opt-out" of having their contractors follow lead-safe work practices. Read the press release.

June 21, 2010
EPA Honors Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award Recipients. For the 15th year, EPA is recognizing chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States.

May 27, 2010
In another action to increase the public's access to chemical information, EPA plans to generally deny claims of confidentiality for the identity of chemicals in health and safety studies filed under the TSCA, except in specified circumstances.

May 17, 2010
As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s commitment to increase public access to information on chemicals, EPA has added more than 6,300 chemicals and 3,800 chemical facilities regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to EPA's public database called Envirofacts. Read the press release.

April 23, 2010
Three new actions to prevent lead paint poisoning were announced: (1) a final rule to apply lead-safe work practices to all pre-1978 homes, effectively closing an exemption that was created in 2008. (2) A notice of proposed rulemaking to require dust-wipe testing after most renovations and provide the results of the testing to the owners and occupants of the building. (3) An advance notice of proposed rulemaking to announce EPA's intention to apply lead-safe work practices to renovations on public and commercial buildings. Read more about these actions.

April 20, 2010
EPA joined with the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Ad Council to sponsor a public service announcement advertising campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of lead poisoning to children. The ads, in English and Spanish, urge viewers to visit the campaign Website or call the hotline: 1-800-424-LEAD to learn more. Read the press release.

April 8, 2010
Expecting more than 125,000 renovators to be trained in lead-safe practices by the April 22 deadline, EPA announced it is on target to implement a major lead poison-prevention rule aimed at protecting millions of children. Read our fact sheet and press release.

April 4, 2010
Green electronic buying and practices achieved major greenhouse gas emissions reductions in FY 2009. The Federal Electronics Challenge Partners, including EPA and 17 other federal agencies and facilities, purchased greener electronics, improved operation and maintenance of office electronics, and reused or recycled equipment. This reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 46,259 metric tons of carbon, the equivalent to removing 31,000 passenger cars from the road for one year. FEC 2009 Program Accomplishments Report (4 pp, 109 KB, About PDF).

March 29, 2010
EPA will scrutinize the environmental impact of Bisphenol A. The BPA action plan focuses on the environmental impacts of BPA and will look to add BPA to EPA’s list of chemicals of concern and require testing related to environmental effects. These actions are part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s comprehensive effort to strengthen the agency’s chemical management program and assure the safety of chemicals.

March 15, 2010
To increase public access to chemical information, for the first time, EPA is providing free access to the Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Substance Inventory. This inventory contains a consolidated EPA list of thousands of industrial chemicals, and is part of a series of ongoing steps the Agency is taking to empower the public with important information.

January 21, 2010
A new confidential business information (CBI) policy to increase the public’s access to information on the potential risks posed by chemicals was issued by EPA. Read more about the new policy. See the press release.

January 5, 2010
Design for the Environment Partnership Program Web site Redesign Launched - EPA allows safer products to carry the DfE label. This mark enables consumers to quickly identify and choose products that can help protect the environment and are safer for families.The updated Web site has been designed to better serve consumers, manufacturers, and purchasers of these products.

December 30, 2009
EPA Announces Actions to Address Chemicals of Concern - As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s commitment to strengthen and reform chemical management, EPA has announced a series of actions on four chemicals raising serious health or environmental concerns - phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, PBDEs, and perfluorinated chemicals including PFOA.  For the first time, EPA intends to establish a “Chemicals of Concern” list and is beginning a process that may lead to regulations requiring significant risk reduction measures to protect human health and the environment.

December 17, 2009
Principal manufacturers of decaBDE, Albemarle Corp. and Chemtura Corp., and the principal importer, ICL Industrial Products, Inc., announced their commitment to a three-year phase-out of decaBDE.

December 9, 2009
EPA released the results of a limited field monitoring study of artificial-turf playing fields and playgrounds, which will be used to help determine possible next steps to address questions regarding the safety of tire crumb infill in recreational fields. Read the report.

November 19, 2009
Nominate your green chemistry innovation by the December 31 deadline, and get the recognition you deserve! The awards recognize innovative chemical technologies that incorporate green chemistry into the design, manufacture and use of chemicals, and that have broad applications in industry. Read the 2010 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Nomination Package (PDF) (11 pp., 381 KB, about PDF)

October 22, 2009
Responding to a stakeholder petition on lead, EPA agreed to revisit the current lead dust hazards standard and to work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to modify the definition of lead-based paint in its regulations. EPA is also proposing to expand coverage of its 2008 Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule as part of its ongoing commitment to eliminate lead poisoning. The proposed rule would eliminate an exemption from the RRP rule.

October 19, 2009
EPA sent a report to Congress on mercury compounds that identifies sources of mercury compounds in the United States and reports quantities in imports, exports, and uses of these compounds in products and processes. Required by Congress under Section 4 of the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 (MEBA, the report also assesses the potential for key mercury compounds to be exported for reprocessing into elemental mercury.

September 29, 2009
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson released a set of essential principles for reform of chemical management legislation to help inform efforts underway in Congress to reauthorize and significantly strengthen the effectiveness of TSCA, and announced a comprehensive approach to enhancing chemical management under existing laws. The Agency posted information on hazards posed by 100 additional high production volume (HPV) chemicals. Looking for information on existing chemicals? Check out EPA's updated existing chemicals Web site .

September 25, 2009
PCBs in Caulk - EPA has announced a series of steps building owners and school administrators should take to reduce exposure to PCBs that may be found in caulk in many buildings constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978. The Agency is also conducting research to better understand the risks posed by caulk containing PCBs.

Top of page

September 21, 2009
Pollution Prevention Week is September 21-27 Next year is the 20th anniversary of the Pollution Prevention Act, which made P2 the option of first choice for reducing air emissions, water discharges, preventing health and environmental exposures to harmful substances, and the generation of wastes. Celebrate P2 Week with Us! -- Respond to EPA's Question of the Week, "What are you doing to reduce pollution?"

September 11, 2009
EPA is requesting comment on its proposal to require 90 days notice prior to U.S. manufacture, import or processing of elemental mercury for use in flow meters, natural gas manometers, and pyrometers. Read about the proposal.

August 26, 2009
EPA has announced a series of steps to increase protections against and raise awareness of lead-based products in our environment and communities, particularly to prevent lead poisoning in children. The steps are: additional proposed requirements to protect children from lead-based paint, a new effort to ban the manufacture of lead in tire weights, and, a lead poisoning prevention video contest, asking people to submit videos demonstrating steps that can be taken to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Create a video to help prevent lead poisoning .

Top of page

Previous announcements and recent additions.