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NOTE: This is the fifth in a series about EPA’s regulation of new chemicals. See below under Go Deeper for links to the other blogs in the series. What Happened? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed new regulations for its safety reviews of new chemicals under our nation’s primary chemicals law, the Toxic Substances …

By Maria Doa, PhD, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy, and Colin Parts, Legal Fellow NOTE: This is the fourth in a series about EPA’s regulation of new chemicals. See below under Go Deeper for links to the other blogs in the series. What Happened? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed new regulations for its safety …

EDF challenges new EPA rule regarding Confidential Business Information.

By Maria J. Doa, PhD, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy, and Greg Schweer, Consultant NOTE: This is the third in a series about EPA’s regulation of new chemicals. See below under Go Deeper for links to other blogs in the series. What Happened? EPA recently proposed regulations to govern how it reviews companies’ pre-manufacture notifications for …

EPA proposes to ban toxic chemical known to cause serious health risks.

What’s Happening? The chemical industry has an extensive—and ongoing—history of complaining about how long it takes EPA to do new chemical safety reviews. The irony is that industry is the very player causing the delays in EPA’s review process. Clear data indicate that chemical manufacturers are primarily responsible for the length of EPA’s reviews and …

NOTE: This is the second in a series about EPA’s regulation of new chemicals. What Happened? EPA recently proposed new regulations for its safety reviews of new chemicals under our nation’s main chemicals law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). With this action, the agency has a big chance to solve major problems that have …

By Maria Doa, PhD, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy, Samantha Liskow, Senior Counsel, and Colin Parts, Legal Fellow NOTE: This is the first of a series about EPA’s regulation of new chemicals. What Happened? EPA recently proposed regulations to govern how it reviews companies’ pre-manufacture notifications for new chemicals before those chemicals can go on the …

Having a newborn is stressful enough — here are tips to give your baby a healthy start.

In the face of mounting evidence about the dangers posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), one thing is clear: EPA needs to take urgent action to turn off the tap of these “forever chemicals” that have long-term consequences for our health and the environment. As we discussed in a previous blog, it is imperative …

What’s New? Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) embarked on a critical Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) supplemental risk evaluation of 1,4-dioxane [PDF, 8.7MB]– a highly carcinogenic chemical that contaminates drinking water supplies across the country and is present in products, such as cleaning supplies and personal care products. This draft supplemental risk evaluation represents …

What’s New? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released and solicited public comments on its draft Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA) Guidelines for Planning and Problem Formulation. The purpose of a CRA is to determine the combined health and/or environmental risks from multiple stressors and chemicals that can cause the same harms. These guidelines, intended to …

EDF co-authored study published in the journal Environmental Health evaluated Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) notices that food manufacturers voluntarily submitted to FDA and found that 1) no GRAS notices followed FDA's draft guidance, and 2) there were high risks of bias and conflicts of interest.

By Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals, Klara Matouskova, PhD, Consultant, and Maricel Maffini, PhD, Consultant What Happened? In our new study, we evaluated Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) notices—a total of 403 between 2015-2020—that food manufacturers voluntarily submitted to FDA for review. Our goal was to determine whether industry was adhering to FDA’s Guidance on Best Practices for …

The appointment of James "Jim" Jones as FDA's first Deputy Commissioner of Human Foods comes as a welcome development.

What’s New? For the first time, FDA has provided guidance on how to evaluate whether metal cookware is prohibited due to lead leaching into food. As part of an investigation to find the source of elevated blood lead levels in some refugee children, the Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Washington [1] encountered high …

What’s New? EPA recently asked its Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC), comprised of experts in the fields of toxicology and environmental chemistry, to make recommendations on implementing new approach methods (NAMs) for testing the safety of new chemicals. NAMs encompass a wide array of new evaluation strategies, including testing cell lines or invertebrates (rather than …

    What Happened? EDF and other environmental groups recently asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw the approval it issued for a group of new chemicals. This approval, also known as a consent order, allows Chevron to create fuels at its refinery in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by using oils produced through a process of …

Learn about the dangers of forever chemicals in drinking water, how to protect your family, and what steps the EPA is taking to ensure your safety. Stay informed and stay healthy with expert Tom Neltner.

What’s New? A blockbuster Wall Street Journal (WSJ) investigation showed that lead-sheathed telecom cables are releasing toxic lead into water or surface soil. We are aware of more than 2,000 of these cables across the nation—and more than 300 of those pose a threat to community drinking water sources. Recognizing the potential risks to public …

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Below the Blue, and Clean Water Action submitted a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan today, calling on the agency to investigate the uncontrolled release of lead into water or surface soil by more than 2,000 lead-sheathed telecom cables across the nation.

What Happened? In April, a company called Prime Research Reports issued a press release in which it claimed FDA had approved THP (tetrahydropiperine) as a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) substance “for use in food products.” There is no record that FDA has either reviewed or approved THP for use in food. The report describes …

Industrial processes, packaging and certain additives all contribute toxic chemicals to our foods. EDF works with regulators and companies to tackle the issue. Here’s what you can do too. 

PFAS is a group of synthetic chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products, including water-repellent clothing, such as outdoor wear, and food packaging. Once these “forever chemicals” are produced and used, they often make their way into the environment and our bodies. Many pose serious threats due to their toxic effects (often at trace …

By Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals Initiative, Environmental Defense Fund and Charlotte Brody, National Director, Healthy Babies Bright Futures Key Message The scientific consensus is that there is no known safe level of lead exposure, and that no environment or home is truly free of lead. With a few exceptions, we think it is …