EPA Releases Draft TSCA Risk Evaluations for Two Chemicals Found in Household and Commercial Products

EPA Releases Draft TSCA Risk Evaluations for Two Chemicals Found in Household and Commercial Products

View as a webpage / Share News Release EPA Releases Draft TSCA Risk Evaluations for Two Chemicals Found in Household and Commercial Products August 6, 2026 | Contact EPA's Press Office (press@epa.gov) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing draft risk evaluations for public comment. Both chemicals are found in products used in homes and workplaces and can evaporate into the air. For pDCB, which is used in some air care and deodorizing products, indoor air can be a key exposure route for people who use those products. Evaluating each chemical across its conditions of use and exposure pathways is how EPA determines where new protections may be needed and where existing safeguards are sufficient. EPA applied systematic review and weighed the reasonably available, peer-reviewed science alongside information submitted to the Agency. The complete draft evaluations, technical support documents, and underlying data will be available in the public dockets and on EPA's website. The draft evaluations preliminarily found: oDCB contributes to unreasonable risk to workers from 14 conditions of use (inhalation, with dermal exposure from seven) and to consumers from one condition of use through inhalation. Non-cancer hazards evaluated include developmental, liver, and respiratory toxicity. pDCB contributes to unreasonable risk to workers from 7 conditions of use through inhalation and dermal exposure, and to consumers via inhalation from air care products. Non-cancer hazards evaluated include developmental, liver, and respiratory toxicity. For both chemicals, the draft preliminarily risk evaluations found no unreasonable risk to the general population through ambient outdoor air, including fenceline communities, or to the environment. This is separate from the consumer-use exposures above, where the drafts do identify some conditions of use as contributing to unreasonable risk. Consistent with TSCA, EPA considered potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations, including workers and groups that may be more susceptible, in characterizing risk. EPA's draft worker risk estimates do not assume the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as the basis for the risk determination; the drafts separately discuss how PPE and other controls could reduce exposure. EPA welcomes comments and data on the occupational and consumer exposure scenarios, on potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations, and on additional health endpoints. For pDCB, EPA's draft determination is that it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, based on a non-mutagenic, threshold-dependent mode of action for the liver tumors observed in animals. EPA recognizes that IARC and the National Toxicology Program have classified pDCB differently and specifically invites comments and data on this evaluation. These are draft findings, and EPA wants feedback. The 60-day comment period is how EPA hears from independent experts, workers, communities, and the public before finalizing the risk evaluations. All current protections and product label directions remain in place while EPA completes these reviews; releasing draft evaluations does not alter any existing safeguard. If EPA continues to find unreasonable risk, it will propose risk-management actions under TSCA section 6(a) to address those exposures. EPA is working toward the February 12, 2027, consent-decree deadline for the final evaluations. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, EPA will accept comments for 60 days at regulations.gov: oDCB via EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0444 and pDCB via EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0446. Read the Press Release Learn more about Children's Health and Healthy School Environments.

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Last chance to register for tomorrow’s EPA webinar — From Vision to Action: How School District Leaders Drive Healthy Indoor Air Quality!

Don’t miss tomorrow’s webinar on school indoor air quality!

View as a webpage / Share Don’t miss tomorrow’s webinar on school indoor air quality! From Vision to Action: How School District Leaders Drive Healthy Indoor Air Quality Tomorrow, August 11, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET Register Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tomorrow for an informative session on how school boards, superintendents and district leaders can lead the way by setting policy, aligning budgets and priorities, and institutionalizing practices to integrate indoor air quality (IAQ) management into routine district operations. During the webinar, hear from a panel of school board and district leaders from the 2026 National School Boards Association Magna Awards recognition program as they discuss their efforts to enhance student learning and academic success by improving IAQ: Pamela Boozer-Strother, M.B.A., CAE, Board of Education Member, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland Sandi Brundage, M.S., M.S.Ed., Grant Administrator, Salamanca City Central School District, New York Antaniece Carter, Ed.D., Director of Social Emotional Learning and Health Services, East St. Louis School District 189, Illinois Sydney Stigge-Kaufman, M.S.W., Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, East St. Louis School District 189, Illinois Joseph Haskell, M.A., Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Risk Management, East St. Louis School District 189, Illinois Sheila Stevens, Program Manager, Department of Sustainability and Resilience, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland These leaders will share how and why their school boards adopted EPA‑aligned IAQ management plans, linked IAQ with energy efficiency, mobilized cross‑department teams, and used training and simple metrics to drive results and program sustainability — even with ever‑tightening school budgets. The webinar will also highlight how to access and implement cost‑effective best practices and resources, including training, technical assistance and funding. Spread the word! Share this email with colleagues. Learn more about the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools. If you have questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact iaqschools@epa.gov. Learn more about IAQ.

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Register for EPA’s webinar — From Vision to Action: How School District Leaders Drive Healthy Indoor Air Quality!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host an informative session featuring school districts recognized by the 2026 National...

View as a webpage / Share From Vision to Action: How School District Leaders Drive Healthy Indoor Air Quality Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET Register The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host an informative session featuring school districts recognized by the 2026 National School Boards Association Magna Awards for enhancing learning and academic success through improved indoor air quality (IAQ). School leaders from East St. Louis School District 189 (Illinois), Salamanca City Central School District (New York) and Prince George’s County Public Schools (Maryland) will share how and why their school boards adopted EPA-aligned IAQ management plans, linked IAQ with energy efficiency, mobilized cross-department teams, and used training and simple metrics to drive results and program sustainability — even with ever-tightening school budgets. The webinar will also highlight how to implement cost‑effective best practices and access resources, including training, technical assistance and funding. Learning Objectives Attend this webinar to: Understand the role school boards, superintendents and district leaders can play in setting policy, adopting an EPA‑aligned IAQ management plan, and establishing governance and accountability for IAQ and energy performance. Identify practical, replicable steps to implement sustainable IAQ management programs — forming cross‑functional teams, conducting IAQ walkthroughs, controlling indoor pollutant sources, improving ventilation/filtration and maintenance, and integrating energy‑efficient practices. Learn how districts track and communicate progress on IAQ and energy efficiency (e.g., simple metrics, training participation, documentation) and how these elements contribute to program success. Access EPA and grantee resources and tools to implement cost‑effective best practices and accelerate healthier, more energy‑efficient schools. Panelist Speakers Pamela Boozer-Strother, M.B.A., CAE, Board of Education Member, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland Sandi Brundage, M.S., M.S.Ed., Grant Administrator, Salamanca City Central School District, New York Antaniece Carter, Ed.D., Director of Social Emotional Learning and Health Services, East St. Louis School District 189, Illinois Sydney Stigge-Kaufman, M.S.W., Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, East St. Louis School District 189, Illinois Joseph Haskell, M.A., Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Risk Management, East St. Louis School District 189, Illinois Jill Buck, M.S., GoGreen Initiative (EPA School IAQ Grantee), California Sheila Stevens, Program Manager, Department of Sustainability and Resilience, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland Register today for the upcoming webinar! Spread the word! Share this email with colleagues. Learn more about the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools. If you have questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact iaqschools@epa.gov. Learn more about IAQ.

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