Chemicals and Materials We Are Researching
- 6PPD-quinone
- Endocrine Disruptors
- Microplastics
- Nanomaterials
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Buildings Materials
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields
6PPD-quinone
Vehicle tires contain the chemical known as 6PPD to prevent tires from breaking down due to reactions with ozone and other reactive oxygen species in the air. When 6PPD reacts with ozone in the air, it forms 6PPD-quinone. Tires wear down through contact with roads, releasing particles into the environment. When it rains, stormwater from hard surfaces like parking lots and streets washes these particles into streams and other water bodies. As a result, 6PPD-quinone may be present and aquatic organisms can be exposed to it. Available information on 6PPD-quinone indicates that it is toxic enough to quickly kill some fish. The potential of 6PPD-quinone to have ecotoxic effects and impact salmon populations is a key issue.
Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disrupting chemicals can interfere with the normal functions of the endocrine system and lead to problems with reproduction (i.e. egg and sperm production) and development (i.e. healthy fetal growth) in both humans and wildlife. EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program is charged with prioritizing and testing chemicals for potential endocrine disruption. EPA researchers develop and use innovative chemical screening technologies and other advanced scientific methods to help evaluate these chemicals for potential endocrine disruption.
Microplastics
Microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs, and have been found in food, beverages, and human and animal tissue. The wide range of particle sizes, densities, and compositions pose a challenge for researchers because there is not a single method that can be used to characterize the wide variety of micro and nanoplastic particles. There is a pressing need to develop and standardize collection, extraction, quantification, and identification methods for micro and nanoplastics to improve reliability, consistency, and comparability across studies.
Nanomaterials
Due to the rapid and diverse growth of engineered nanomaterials, it is difficult for regulators and risk assessors to understand the potential for exposure to nanomaterials and whether methods used for assessing risk of conventional chemicals can be used for nanomaterials. EPA research is developing a scientific foundation to better understand, predict and manage the challenges of nanomaterials.
EPA’s research is focused on characterizing the occurrence of nanomaterials, examining the transport and fate of nanomaterials in the environment, and estimating exposure to humans. This research is coordinated with partners across the federal government through the National Nanotechnology Initiative
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Buildings Materials
EPA is concerned that there is potential widespread use of PCB-containing building materials in schools and other buildings constructed or renovated between about 1950 and 1979. Visit the PCB-containing building materials page to learn more about the Agency’s updated guidance for school administrators and building owners, including information about managing PCBs in building materials to help minimize possible exposures to building occupants.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The EPA is leading the national effort to understand PFAS and reduce PFAS risks to the public. PFAS are found in a wide array of consumer and industrial products. PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, facilities using PFAS in production of other products, airports, and military installations are some of the potential contributors of PFAS releases into the air, soil, and water. Due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, most people in the United States have been exposed to PFAS. There is evidence that continued exposure above specific levels to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects.
Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields
Concerns have been raised by the public about the potential health risks from playing on synthetic turf fields in the U.S. containing tire crumb rubber. Studies to date have not shown an elevated health risk from playing on fields with tire crumb rubber, but the existing studies have been limited. To help address these concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), launched a multi-agency research effort in February 2016.