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13 chemicals added to Toxics Release Inventory list

EPA determines NPEs meet TRI program toxicity criteria

Posted June 13, 2018

EPA added a nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) category to the list of toxic chemicals that must be reported under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program.

NPEs are surfactants that are used in wetting agents, emulsifiers, adhesives, stabilizers, dispersants, defoamers, detergents, paints, and coatings.

EPA has determined that NPEs meet the TRI program’s toxicity criteria. Specifically, short-chain NPEs are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Longer chain NPEs, while not as toxic as short-chain NPEs, can break down in the environment to short-chain NPEs and nonylphenol, both of which are highly toxic to aquatic organisms.

The new NPEs category covers 13 NPEs identified through their Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number and chemical names. The category includes only those chemicals covered by the following CAS numbers:

  • 7311–27–5 — Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]-
  • 9016–45–9 — Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
  • 20427–84–3 — Ethanol, 2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
  • 26027–38–3 — Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(4-nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
  • 26571–11–9 — 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-Octaoxahexacosan-1-ol, 26- (nonylphenoxy)-
  • 27176–93–8 — Ethanol, 2-[2-(nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
  • 27177–05–5 — 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-Heptaoxatricosan-1-ol, 23-(nonylphenoxy)-
  • 27177–08–8 — 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-Nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol, 29-(nonylphenoxy)-
  • 27986–36–3 — Ethanol, 2-(nonylphenoxy)-
  • 37205–87–1 — Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(isononylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
  • 51938–25–1 — Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a (2-nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
  • 68412–54–4 — Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-, branched
  • 127087–87–0 — Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(4-nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-, branched

The final rule is effective for the 2019 TRI reporting year with the first forms due July 1, 2020

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI Form R) Reporting ServiceJ. J. Keller® Toxic Release Inventory (TRI Form R) Reporting Service addresses critical information workers must be aware of regarding the dangers of respirable crystalline silica.

 

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