EPA Flags Five Phthalates as Health Hazards, New Rules Loom
Published Date: 1/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA just finished checking five chemicals—BBP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP, and DIBP—and found they can harm people and the environment. Companies using these chemicals will soon face new rules to keep everyone safe. These changes could affect products and might mean some costs for businesses, with actions starting soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA Will Regulate Five Phthalates
EPA announced final risk evaluations (published January 6, 2026) finding BBP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP, and DIBP pose unreasonable risks. Under TSCA section 6(a), EPA must initiate and propose risk-management rules to address those risks, and it will consider the 'reasonably ascertainable economic consequences' when selecting requirements.
Workers Found at Health Risk
EPA found non-cancer inhalation risks to workers for specific conditions of use: BBP (driven by 2 COUs), DBP (5 COUs), DCHP (2 COUs), DEHP (10 COUs), and DIBP (4 COUs). EPA said it will initiate risk management under TSCA section 6(a) to address those worker exposure risks.
Environmental Risks to Aquatic Life
EPA found unreasonable risks to the environment, especially aquatic organisms, driven by multiple conditions of use: BBP (environmental risk driven by 7 COUs), DBP (1 COU), DEHP (20 COUs, with 18 COUs also driven by sediment pore water), and DIBP (7 COUs). DCHP did not show environmental unreasonable risk under any COUs.
Consumers Not Identified at Risk
For BBP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP, and DIBP, EPA did not identify unreasonable risk of injury to consumers or the general population under any conditions of use. The final risk evaluations explicitly state that consumers and the general population were not found to face unreasonable risks.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
2026-10641, Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Federal CCR Permit Program; Reopening of Comment Period
The EPA is reopening the comment period until June 29, 2026, for its proposed rule to create a federal permit program for safely disposing of coal ash from power plants. This affects electric utilities that handle coal waste and aims to improve environmental safety while possibly impacting their costs. Now’s the time for everyone to share their thoughts and help shape the rules!
2026-10387, Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Reconsideration of Certain Regulatory Requirements Promulgated Under the Technology Transitions Provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020
The EPA is updating rules to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used in cooling systems like refrigerators and air conditioners. These changes affect businesses in refrigeration, supermarkets, semiconductor manufacturing, and more, allowing some older equipment made before 2025 to keep running. The new rules kick in on July 27, 2026, helping industries transition smoothly while cutting harmful emissions.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-24289, Product Change-Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements
The Postal Service is adding new special shipping deals for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage. These deals affect businesses that ship packages and could mean better prices or options starting early 2026. Keep an eye out if you use these services, as the changes kick in soon and might save you money!
Next: 2026-00001, Agency Information Collection Activity: Request for Restoration of Entitlement Due to Facility Closure, Program of Training or Course Disapproval (Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment)
Veterans who use Chapter 31 benefits can now request to restore their training or education benefits if their school or program closes or loses approval. The VA is updating the form used for this process and wants your feedback by March 9, 2026. This helps veterans keep their benefits without losing time or money when unexpected changes happen.