EPA expands on worker health risks in 1,3-butadiene TSCA evaluation

Washington, DC – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has provided additional detail on the unreasonable risks faced by workers in its final risk evaluation of 1,3-butadiene under the Toxic Substances Control Act. While the agency determined that the chemical does not pose unreasonable risks to consumers, nearby communities, or the environment, it concluded that certain workplace exposures present significant health concerns.

According to the EPA, unreasonable risk exists for workers in 11 identified conditions of use, primarily due to inhalation exposure during manufacturing, processing, and industrial use of 1,3-butadiene. These conditions include domestic production and importing of the chemical, its use as a reactant in making synthetic rubber, plastics, resins, and adhesives, and activities such as polymerization, formulation, recycling, repackaging, and disposal. The agency also cited non-incorporative uses in petroleum refining and related industrial operations as contributing to elevated exposure risks.

The evaluation found that, in these scenarios, workers could be exposed to concentrations of 1,3-butadiene associated with serious adverse health effects. These include increased risks of cancers such as leukemia and bladder cancer, as well as non-cancer effects like anemia and reduced birthweight. EPA emphasized that its risk determination does not factor in existing personal protective equipment, such as respirators, in order to assess baseline risks and inform potential regulatory action.

EPA stated that the findings will guide the development of a forthcoming TSCA risk management rule aimed at reducing worker exposure. The agency said it will consider a range of control measures and seek input from industry, labor organizations, and the public as it moves toward proposed regulations designed to better protect workers handling or exposed to 1,3-butadiene in industrial settings.