Toxics

EPA has adopted a novel approach for reviewing “new” chemicals before approving them for market, an approach intended to address the backlog that resulted from legislation reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), though some charge the agency's new approach will impose onerous reporting requirements on most new chemicals.

A nuclear watchdog group is asking EPA to revoke a controversial drinking water guide for radiological emergencies issued by the agency on the last day of the Obama administration, arguing the guide was issued despite significant public opposition over its allowance of concentrations of radioactivity in emergencies that far exceed Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) limits.

EPA is delaying the effective date of an Obama-era rule bolstering training requirements for applicators of certain pesticides in order to craft guidance to support implementation, although the agency also says the one-year delay will allow Trump administration officials to consider potential revisions to the regulation.

Nanomaterials users and producers are faulting EPA's draft guidance for implementing its nano reporting rule for failing to clarify which substances are covered by the regulation, vowing to highlight their concerns in comments on the policy but also renewing their push to repeal the entire rule either administratively or through litigation.