EPA Seeks Input on Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,2-Dichloropropane

EPA’s draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane, a chemical the agency says is primarily used in organic chemical manufacturing, is available for public comment until Nov. 3. EPA describes 1,2-dichloropropane as “a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor” with both industrial and commercial applications. Workers may be exposed to the chemical during tasks associated with the manufacture, processing, use, or disposal of 1,2-dichloropropane or products containing it. Similarly, consumers may be exposed while using products that contain 1,2-dichloropropane. According to an EPA news release, the chemical “has been used in cleaning and furnishing care products but has not appeared in U.S. manufactured products since 2022.” The agency notes that it examined conditions of use involving 1,2-dichloropropane product formulations despite the U.S. phasing them out because products containing the chemical are still manufactured outside of the country and could be imported.

EPA examined inhalation and dermal exposures to 1,2-dichloropropane as part of its draft risk evaluation and found that both can cause harmful health effects. The agency’s draft document also says EPA concluded that the chemical is likely carcinogenic to humans.

EPA calculated a draft eight-hour, time-weighted average occupational exposure value for inhalation exposures to 1,2-dichloropropane of 0.025 ppm, or 0.11 mg/m3, as part of its risk evaluation. This calculation is based on the chronic lifetime cancer inhalation unit risk for respiratory tumors, the agency’s draft document explains. EPA may use this value when determining risk management efforts for 1,2-dichloropropane. OSHA’s permissible exposure limit for the chemical is 75 ppm, or 350 mg/m3, as an eight-hour TWA.

During this comment period, EPA hopes to receive specific input on topics including how 1,2-dichloropropane may be distributed for use in cleaning and furnishing care products; its use in waxes and polishes, particularly for stone polishing and cleaning; and the amounts of 1,2-dichloropropane used by commercial laboratories. The agency is also interested in exposure controls and personal protective equipment used to protect workers from 1,2-dichloropropane, including information about glove materials and dermal protection programs.

The draft risk evaluation and supporting documents can be found on EPA’s risk evaluation webpage for 1,2-dichloropropane. Further details and instructions for submitting comments are available in the Federal Register.