Methyl Ethyl Ketone
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Rule Summary
On June 30, 2005, EPA deleted methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from the list of chemical subject to reporting requirements under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA).
Rule History
On November 26, 1996, EPA received a petition from the Ketones Panel of the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA), to delete MEK from the list of chemicals reportable under EPCRA Section 313 and PPA Section 6607. On March 30, 1998, EPA denied the petition based on the conclusion that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as MEK, contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone which is known to cause significant adverse effects to human health and the environment.
Following the denial, the American Chemistry Council (formerly CMA) filed suit challenging EPA’s decision in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Subsequently, the court granted summary judgment in favor of EPA. On appeal, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the lower court’s decision and directed the district court to issue an order to ‘‘direct EPA to delete MEK from the TRI.’’ The Circuit Court issued its mandate on June 13, 2005. Accordingly, on June 30, 2005, EPA issued a final rule deleting MEK from the EPCRA Section 313 list of reportable chemicals.
Additional Resources
Final Rule - June 30, 2005 (PDF)(3 pp, 185 K, About PDF)
Denial of Petition - March 30, 1998 (PDF)(6 pp, 176 K, About PDF)