EPA Flags Toxic Chemical Risk: Worker Safety Rules Incoming
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA found that 1,2-dichloroethane poses a health risk mainly to workers exposed to it on the job, but not to the general public or the environment. Because of this, the EPA will start making rules to keep workers safe. Companies that make, use, or handle this chemical should get ready for new safety steps soon, which could affect how they operate and possibly cost money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Workers Face Unreasonable Risk
EPA's final risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloroethane (CASRN 107-06-2), announced May 5, 2026, found an unreasonable risk to human health driven by worker exposure in the workplace under 15 conditions of use (COUs). You are affected if you work with this chemical on the job because EPA says worker exposures drive the risk.
Companies Face Upcoming Risk Rules
Under TSCA section 6(a), EPA will now propose risk management regulatory actions to address the unreasonable worker risks for 1,2-dichloroethane and will focus on the COUs that significantly contribute to that risk. EPA says it will consider health effects, exposure magnitude, benefits of uses, and reasonably ascertainable economic consequences when selecting requirements, and there will be an opportunity for public comment on proposed rules.
No Public or Environmental Risk Found
EPA's final evaluation found that 1,2-dichloroethane does not present an unreasonable risk for consumer exposure, the general population, or the environment under any conditions of use. This means EPA identified worker exposures — not consumer or environmental exposures — as the source of unreasonable risk.
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