Notice2026-08682
1,2-Dichloroethane; Final Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability
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Published
May 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of the final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,2-dichloroethane (CASRN 107- 06-2). The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COUs), including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, and without consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA used the best available science to prepare this final risk evaluation and determined, based on the weight of scientific evidence, that 1,2-dichloroethane presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health driven by risk to workers through workplace exposure under 15 COUs. EPA did not identify contributions to unreasonable risk of injury for consumer exposure, exposure to the general population, or to the environment, under any COUs for 1,2-dichlorethane. Consistent with TSCA, EPA will now initiate risk management actions to address the unreasonable risk.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24230-24231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08682]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0427; FRL-11809-05-OCSPP]
1,2-Dichloroethane; Final Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is
announcing the availability of the final risk evaluation under the
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,2-dichloroethane (CASRN 107-
06-2). The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine
whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to
health or the environment under the conditions of use (COUs), including
unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations
identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, and without
consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA used the best available
science to prepare this final risk evaluation and determined, based on
the weight of scientific evidence, that 1,2-dichloroethane presents an
unreasonable risk of injury to human health driven by risk to workers
through workplace exposure under 15 COUs. EPA did not identify
contributions to unreasonable risk of injury for consumer exposure,
exposure to the general population, or to the environment, under any
COUs for 1,2-dichlorethane. Consistent with TSCA, EPA will now initiate
risk management actions to address the unreasonable risk.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0427) is
available online at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Additional information
about dockets generally, along with instructions for visiting the
docket in-person, is available at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets">https://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information: Simon Regenold, Existing Chemical Risk
Management Division (7404M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 202-566-1537; email address:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#194b7c7e7c7776757d374a70747677597c6978377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e0c3b393b3031323a700d373331301e3b2e3f70393128">[email protected]</span></a>.
For general information: The TSCA-Hotline, Goodwill of the Finger
Lakes, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number:
(202) 554-1404; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c585f4f4d21446378606562694c697c6d226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="02565141432f4a6d766e6b6c67426772632c656d74">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Executive Summary
A. Does this action apply to me?
This action is directed to the public in general and may be of
particular interest to those involved in the manufacture (defined under
TSCA section 3(9) to include import), processing, distribution, use,
and disposal of 1,2-dichloroethane, related industry trade
organizations, non-governmental organizations with an interest in human
and environmental health, state and local governments, Tribal Nations,
and/or those interested in the assessment of risks involving chemical
substances and mixtures regulated under TSCA. As such, the Agency has
not attempted to describe all the specific entities that this action
might apply to. If you need help determining applicability, consult the
technical contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?
The Agency is conducting this risk evaluation under TSCA section 6,
15 U.S.C. 2605, which requires that EPA conducts risk evaluations on
chemical substances and identifies the minimum components EPA must
include in the risk evaluations. Each risk evaluation must be
consistent with the best available science, be based on the weight of
the scientific evidence, and consider reasonably available information,
and not consider costs or non-risk factors. 15 U.S.C. 2625(h), (i), and
(k). See also the implementing procedural regulations at 40 CFR part
702.
C. What action is the Agency taking?
EPA is announcing the availability of the final risk evaluation
under TSCA for 1,2-dichloroethane. The purpose of risk evaluations
under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an
unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the
conditions of use, including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed
or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk
evaluation by EPA, and without consideration of costs or non-risk
factors. EPA ensured this action is consistent with Executive Order
14303 ``Restoring Gold Standard Science,'' (May 23, 2025). EPA used the
best available science to prepare this final risk evaluation and, based
on the weight of scientific evidence, determined that 1,2-
dichloroethane poses unreasonable risk to human health driven by risk
to workers through workplace exposure under 15 COUs. EPA did not
identify contributions to unreasonable risk of injury for consumer
exposure, exposure to the general population, or to the environment,
under any COUs for 1,2-dichlorethane. EPA will now initiate risk
management action as required pursuant to TSCA section 6(a) (15 U.S.C
2605(a)), to address the unreasonable risk.
II. Background
A. What is 1,2-Dichloroethane?
Also known as ethylene dichloride, 1,2-dichloroethane is a
volatile, colorless, and oily liquid with a chloroform-like odor that
is primarily used in the synthesis of vinyl chloride; over 90 percent
of produced 1,2-dichloroethane is converted to vinyl chloride. The
production volume (including imports) for 1,2-dichloroethane ranges
from 30 to 40 billion pounds per year. Consumer use of products of 1,2-
dichloroethane-containing imported articles were identified and small
amounts of 1,2-dichloroethane are used in laboratories.
B. Summary of Activities for the Risk Evaluation of 1,2-Dichloroethane
In December 2019, EPA announced its designation of 1,2-
dichloroethane as a high priority substance for risk evaluation under
TSCA (Ref. 1). In April 2020, EPA sought public comment on the draft
scope of the 1,2-dichloroethane risk evaluation (Ref. 2), and after
considering public comments, issued the final scope in September 2020
(Ref. 3). In July 2024, EPA released the Draft Human Health Hazard
Assessment for 1,2-Dichloroethane for public comment and external peer
review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) (Ref. 4).
As part of the SACC deliberations, the Agency held a virtual public
meeting to discuss the Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,1-Dichloroethane as
well as the Draft Human Health Hazard Assessment for 1,2-Dichloroethane
in September 2024. For more information about this meeting, go to the
SACC website at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review/science-advisory-committee-chemicals-meetings">https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review/science-advisory-committee-chemicals-meetings</a>. In June 2025, EPA released a response to
comments document titled, ``Summary of and Response to External Peer
[[Page 24231]]
Review and Public Comments on the Risk Evaluation for 1,1-
Dichloroethane and Human Health Hazard Technical Support Document for
1,2-Dichloroethane'' (Ref 5). These documents, other supporting
documents, and public comments are in dockets EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0427 and
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0114. EPA released the 1,2-Dichloroethane Draft Risk
Evaluation in November 2025 for public comment (Ref 6). Due to prior
review, EPA did not solicit additional peer review of the human health
hazard assessment. Other components of the draft risk evaluation were
not externally peer reviewed because (1) the Draft Human Health Hazard
Assessment for 1,2-Dichloroethane was peer reviewed by the SACC (Ref.
4); and (2) the methodologies used to develop the 1,2-Dichloroethane
Draft Risk Evaluation have been previously peer reviewed by the SACC in
published risk evaluations for 1,1-dichloroethane (Ref. 5), carbon
tetrachloride (Ref. 7), methylene chloride (Ref. 8), perchloroethylene
(Ref. 9), and trichloroethylene (Ref. 10), as well as the Draft TSCA
Screening Level Approach for Assessing Ambient Air and Water Exposures
to Fenceline Communities (Ref. 11). The final risk evaluation,
announced in this notice, reflects SACC and public comments received on
the Draft Human Health Hazard Assessment for 1,2-Dichloroethane and
public comments received on the 1,2-Dichloroethane Draft Risk
Evaluation.
III. Unreasonable Risk Determination
EPA determined that 1,2-dichloroethane presents an unreasonable
risk of injury to human health driven by risk to workers through
workplace exposure under 15 COUs. EPA did not identify contributions to
unreasonable risk of injury for consumer exposure, exposure to the
general population, or to the environment, under any COUs for 1,2-
dichlorethane.
IV. Next Step is Risk Management
Consistent with TSCA section 6(a), EPA will propose risk management
regulatory actions to the extent necessary so that 1,2-dichloroethane
no longer presents an unreasonable risk. EPA expects to focus its risk
management actions on the COUs that significantly contribute to the
unreasonable risks. In proposing rules and selecting among
requirements, consistent with TSCA section 6(c)(2), EPA will consider
and factor in, to the extent practicable: (i) the effects of 1,2-
dichloroethane on health and the environment; (ii) the magnitude of
exposure to 1,2-dichloroethane of human beings and the environment;
(iii) the benefits of 1,2-dichloroethane for various uses; and (iv) the
reasonably ascertainable economic consequences of the rule. Additional
information received may inform the risk management of 1,2-
dichloroethane and, like the prioritization and risk evaluation
processes, there will be an opportunity for public comment on any
proposed risk management actions.
V. References
The following is a listing of the documents that are specifically
referenced in this document. The docket includes these documents and
other information considered by EPA, including documents that are
referenced within the documents that are included in the docket, even
if the referenced document is not physically located in the docket. For
assistance in locating these other documents, please consult the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
1. EPA. High-Priority Substance Designations Under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Initiation of Risk Evaluation on
High-Priority Substances; Notice of Availability. Federal Register.
84 FR 71924, December 30, 2019 (FRL-10003-15).
2. EPA. Draft Scopes of the Risk Evaluations to Be Conducted for
Thirteen Chemical Substances Under the Toxic Substances Control Act;
Notice of Availability. Federal Register. 85 FR 19941, April 9, 2020
(FRL-10007-11).
3. EPA. Final Scopes of the Risk Evaluations to Be Conducted for
Twenty Chemical Substances Under the Toxic Substances Control Act;
Notice of Availability. Federal Register. 85 FR 55281, September 4,
2020 (FRL-10013-90).
4. EPA. 1,1-Dichloroethane and 1,2-Dichloroethane; Science Advisory
Committee on Chemicals (SACC) Peer Review; Notice of SACC Meeting,
Availability of Draft Documents and Request for Comment. Federal
Register. 89 FR 54815, July 2, 2024 (FRL-11809-03).
5. EPA. 1,1-Dichloroethane; Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability. Federal
Register. 90 FR 26581, June 23, 2025 (FRL-11809-04).
6. EPA. 1,2-Dichloroethane; Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request
for Comment. Federal Register. 90 FR 52054, November 19, 2025 (FRL-
11809-06).
7. EPA. Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4); Final Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluation; Notice of Availability. Federal
Register. 85 FR 70147, November 4, 2020 (FRL-10015-51).
8. EPA. Methylene Chloride (MC); Final Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) Risk Evaluation; Notice of Availability. Federal Register. 85
FR 37942, June 24, 2020 (FRL-10011-16).
9. EPA. Perchloroethylene (PCE); Final Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) Risk Evaluation; Notice of Availability. Federal Register. 85
FR 82474, December 18, 2020 (FRL-10017-44).
10. EPA. Trichloroethylene (TCE); Final Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) Risk Evaluation; Notice of Availability. Federal Register. 85
FR 75010, November 24, 2020 (FRL-10016-91).
11. EPA. Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC); Notice of
Public Meeting and Request for Comments on Draft Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) Screening Level Approach for Assessing Ambient
Air and Water Exposures to Fenceline Communities. Federal Register.
87 FR 3294. January 21, 2022 (FRL-9392-01).
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.
Dated: April 30, 2026.
Douglas M. Troutman,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2026-08682 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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