Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

EPA Announces Peer Review of 1,1-Dichloroethane TSCA Risk Evaluation and 1,2-Dichloroethane Hazard Assessment, Calls for Public Comments on Reviewer Candidates

Released June 13, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the Agency’s Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) will peer review the Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,1-Dichloroethane and the draft hazard assessment supporting the draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloroethane (also known as ethylene dichloride). The Agency is also calling for public comments on candidates under consideration to serve as ad hoc reviewers assisting the SACC.

Peer Review of Risk Evaluation Documents

EPA is conducting risk evaluations of 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 1,1-Dichloroethane is a solvent that is used primarily in industrial applications, such as a reactant for the manufacture of other chemicals or as a laboratory chemical. No consumer uses were identified for 1,1-dichloroethane. 1,2-Dichloroethane is primarily used to manufacture vinyl chloride.    

EPA previously planned to use a letter peer review to obtain comments on the 1,1-dichloroethane draft risk evaluation, but the Agency has decided to schedule a SACC meeting  to review the draft risk evaluation instead.

In addition to the draft risk evaluation for 1,1-dichloroethane, EPA is also seeking feedback on the draft hazard assessment for 1,2-dichlororethane because data on the toxicity of 1,2-dichloroethane is used to fill gaps in the understanding of the toxicity of 1,1-dichloroethane. This is a well-established risk assessment practice for chemicals that share structural similarities. The draft hazard assessment for 1,2-dichloroethane will also help inform the draft risk evaluation for this chemical, which EPA anticipates releasing for public comment and any necessary peer review at a later date.

The SACC peer review will take place during a public meeting. EPA also plans on holding a preparatory virtual public meeting for the SACC and the public to consider and ask questions regarding the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions and areas of review. Registration information for both meetings will be posted on the peer review website in the coming months.  

Public Comments on Peer Reviewers 

EPA is currently seeking public comments on potential candidates who are interested and available to serve as ad hoc reviewers for these two chemicals. EPA’s call for public comments follows its March 2024 call for nominations of prospective candidates. EPA will not seek additional nominations for ad hoc reviewers. EPA has confirmed that existing candidates will be available to participate in the SACC review instead of a letter peer review. 

Biographies for all interested and available candidates are available via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0114 and through the peer review website. Comments should be submitted to the docket on www.regulations.gov. Comments are due June 28, 2024. When providing comments, do not submit any information you consider to be confidential business information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Members of the public should also be aware that personal contact information, if included in any written comments, may be posted on the internet.

During the nomination and selection process, peer reviewer candidates are asked to submit confidential financial information. This confidential financial information must fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA evaluates the candidates' financial disclosure forms to assess whether there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a loss of impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of the documents under consideration (including previous scientific peer review) before the candidates are considered further.

Comments received from the SACC will inform the Agency’s final risk evaluations and risk management decisions under TSCA.

For more information, contact Alie Muneer, Designated Federal Official, muneer.alie@epa.gov with any questions.

Read the candidates’ biographies and submit a comment.
 

Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

  • Pollution Prevention and Toxics News
Contact Us about Chemicals under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on June 13, 2024
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.