Notice2026-18117
1,2-Dichloropropane Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for Comment
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Published
September 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,2- dichloropropane. 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 is seeking comment on the draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 171 (Friday, September 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 171 (Friday, September 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56882-56884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18117]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0428; FRL-13553-01-OCSPP]
1,2-Dichloropropane Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for
Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is
announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft
risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,2-
dichloropropane. 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 is seeking
comment on the draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 3, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments on the 1,2-dichloropropane draft risk
evaluation, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0428,
online at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not
submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Members of the public should also be aware that
personal information included in any written comments may be posted on
the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Additional information on
commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about
dockets generally, is available at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets">https://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information on 1,2-dichloropropane: Olivia Bailey,
Existing Chemical Risk Management Division, Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
(202) 566-0894; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b988978b97fdd0dad1d5d6cbd6c9cbd6c9d8d7dc97edeafaf8f9dcc9d897ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddecf3eff399b4beb5b1b2afb2adafb2adbcb3b8f3898e9e9c9db8adbcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>.
For general information: The TSCA Assistance Information Service
Hotline, Goodwill Vision Enterprises, 422 South Clinton Ave.,
Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (800) 471-7127 or (202) 554-
1404; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5f1f6e6e488edcad1c9cccbc0e5c0d5c48bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="baeee9f9fb97f2d5ced6d3d4dffadfcadb94ddd5cc">[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-dichloropropane, 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
relevant 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 conduct risk evaluations on
chemical substances and identifies the minimum components EPA must
include in the risk evaluations. Each risk evaluation must be conducted
consistent with the best available science, be based on the weight of
the scientific evidence, 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 and seeking public comment on
the draft risk evaluation under TSCA for 1,2-dichloropropane. EPA used
the best available science to prepare this draft risk evaluation and
preliminarily determined, based on the weight of scientific evidence,
that 1,2-dichloropropane does pose unreasonable risk to human health
driven primarily by certain COUs analyzed in the draft risk evaluation.
D. What should I consider as I submit my comments to EPA?
1. Submitting CBI
Do not submit CBI through <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> or email. If
you wish to include CBI in your comment, please follow the applicable
instructions at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules">https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules</a> and clearly mark the information that you claim to be
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR parts 2 and 703, as applicable.
2. Tips for Preparing Comments
When preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting
tips at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets">https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets</a>.
II. Background for 1,2-Dichloropropane
A. What is 1,2-Dichloropropane?
1,2-Dichloropropane is a volatile, colorless liquid under normal
(ambient) conditions with a sweet chloroform-like odor. It is
manufactured primarily as a byproduct. Manufacturers, based on the 2024
Chemical Data Reporting (U.S. EPA, 2026, 13246149; available at <a href="https://hero.epa.gov/reference/13246149/">https://hero.epa.gov/reference/13246149/</a>), report the national aggregate
production volume of 1,2-dichloropropane is between 100 and 250 million
pounds. 1,2-
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Dichloropropane may also be imported. Industrial and commercial uses of
1,2-dichloropropane include processing (as a reactant), laboratory
chemical use, and cleaning and furnishing care products. Workers and
occupational non-users (ONUs) may be exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane
through the inhalation route and workers may also be exposed through
the dermal route associated with manufacturing, processing, use, or
disposal of 1,2-dichloropropane and products containing 1,2-
dichloropropane. Consumers may be exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane
through the dermal and inhalation routes during the intended use of
products containing 1,2-dichloropropane. Although volatile, 1,2-
dichloropropane is soluble in water and is miscible in most organic
solvents. 1,2-Dichloropropane is persistent in the environment and
slowly degrades over months to years if released to air, water, soil,
and sediment. Environmental releases to air, water, and land occur from
industrial and waste handling facilities.
B. The Risk Evaluation of 1,2-Dichloropropane
In December 2019, EPA announced its designation of 1,2-
dichloropropane (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0428) as a high-priority
substance for risk evaluation under TSCA (84 FR 71924 (FRL-10003-15-
OCSPP)). In April 2020, EPA published and sought public comment on the
draft scope of the 1,2-dichloropropane risk evaluation (85 FR 19941
(FRL-10007-11-OCSPP)), and, after considering public comments, issued
the final scope on September 4, 2020 (85 FR 55281 (FRL-10013-90-
OCSPP)). In June 2026, EPA released the draft human health and
environmental hazard assessment for public comment and external peer
review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). As part
of the SACC deliberations, the Agency held a virtual public meeting to
discuss the draft human health and environmental hazard assessment in
August 2026. 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 July 2026, EPA also released the draft
chemistry, fate, release, and exposure assessment for 1,2-
dichloropropane.
In this draft risk evaluation, EPA assessed human health risk to
workers (including ONUs), consumers, and the general population
(including fenceline communities and potentially exposed susceptible
subpopulations (PESS)) exposed to environmental releases of 1,2-
dichloropropane. Specifically, EPA evaluated acute, intermediate, and
chronic non-cancer and cancer risks to workers and ONUs; acute and
chronic non-cancer risks to consumers; and acute and chronic non-cancer
and cancer risks to the general population (including fenceline
communities and PESS). This draft risk evaluation also assessed acute
and chronic risks to the environment, specifically to aquatic and
terrestrial species.
C. Request for Comment
EPA seeks feedback on the assessment of risk presented in the draft
risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane, a copy of which is available
in the docket, and encourages all potentially interested parties,
including individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations,
non-profit organizations, academic institutions, research institutions,
and private sector entities to comment on the draft risk evaluation. To
the extent possible, the Agency asks commenters to please cite any
public data related to or that support comments provided, and to the
extent permissible, describe any supporting data that are not publicly
available.
EPA welcomes specific input on each section of the draft risk
evaluation, and is particularly interested in:
<bullet> Information on whether 1,2-dichloropropane is manufactured
as a primary product, or by other manufacturing processes not discussed
in this assessment.
<bullet> Information on how 1,2-dichloropropane may be distributed
for use as a laboratory chemical and in cleaning and furnishing care
products.
<bullet> Information on the amounts of 1,2-dichloropropane used by
commercial laboratories (occupational exposure scenario (OES) #5) on a
daily (kg/site-day) and yearly (kg/site-yr) basis and corresponding
personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls to reduce
exposures.
<bullet> Information on the use of 1,2-dichloropropane in all-
purpose liquid cleaner/polish or waxes and polishes--particularly for
stone polishing and cleaning--including any information supporting this
use as a reasonably foreseen use and any information regarding the use
being reestablished in the United States. Information may include (1)
the potential for 1,2-dichloropropane to be utilized in stone waxes,
polishes, and cleaners, including but not limited to information on
technological or economic factors that indicate this chemical may or
may not be utilized in this type of product going forward; (2) any
information on application of these products including method of
application, settings, surface area treated and amounts applied; and
(3) inhalation and dermal exposure measurements or alternative modeling
approaches that would inform EPA's assessment of the commercial and
consumer scenarios.
<bullet> Information to inform and refine the occupational exposure
assessment, including monitoring data, worker activities, concentration
of 1,2-dichloropropane as it arrives at sites for these OESs and
information on exposure controls and PPE, in particular for the
following OESs: Import/Processing-Repackaging (OES #2), Processing Aid
(OES #4), Disposal to Incineration (OES #7), Disposal to Landfill (OES
#8), and Disposal to publicly owned treatment works (POTW) and Non-POTW
wastewater treatment (WWT) (OES #9, #10).
<bullet> Information to inform whether the inhalation monitoring
data from manufacturing/processing facilities that was used to evaluate
occupational exposures for Disposal to Incineration (OES #7), Disposal
to POTW/Non-POTW WWT (OES #9 and 10), and Remediation (OES #11) is
representative of these OESs--including information on worker
activities (e.g., typical working hours/day and days/year, and personal
protective equipment [PPE] use), concentrations of 1,2-dichloropropane
in waste streams, and other inhalation monitoring data that could be
utilized to assess exposures for these OESs.
<bullet> Information that can be used to inform or refine
interpretation of occupational exposure estimates for similar exposure
groups (SEGs) with large variation in occupational exposure
concentrations (e.g., the marine logistics technician SEG evaluated
under the Processing as a Reactant (OES #3)).
<bullet> Information on exposure controls and PPE used for each of
the COUs, including information on the use of gloves. Specifically, EPA
seeks information on prevalence of glove and respirator use, specific
tasks for which each is used, glove material, and information on dermal
protection programs.
<bullet> Information on the effectiveness of glove types for
preventing exposures from 1,2-dichloropropane in the context of tasks
performed under the COUs--including how workers and their exposure may
be affected when using chemically resistant gloves, measured permeation
testing of certain types of gloves, and temperature considerations (as
identified in the Hand Protection section of the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA)'s Personal Protective Equipment
Guidance and in alignment with the
[[Page 56884]]
OSHA Hand Protection PPE Standard (29 CFR 1910.138)).
<bullet> Other information on any relevant studies or other data
sources that were not identified by EPA.
III. Next Steps
After consideration of comments received from the public on the
draft risk evaluation and input from the Scientific Advisory Committee
on Chemicals (SACC) peer review, EPA will issue the final risk
evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane. Under TSCA section 6, EPA must use
the final risk evaluation as a basis to determine, based on the weight
of scientific evidence, whether or not the chemical presents an
unreasonable risk to human health or the environment under the
chemical's COUs. This includes risks to subpopulations who may be at
greater risks than the general population, such as children and
workers. TSCA prohibits EPA from considering non-risk factors (e.g.,
costs/benefits) during risk evaluation.
For more information about the TSCA risk evaluation process for
existing chemicals, go to <a href="https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca">https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca</a>.
(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.)
Dated: September 1, 2026.
Douglas M. Troutman,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2026-18117 Filed 9-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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