EPA Examines Flame Retardant With Unpronounceable Name
Published Date: 6/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA just released a draft report on the chemical TBBPA to see if it’s risky for people or the environment. If you make or use this chemical, now’s your chance to speak up before August 17, 2026. Depending on the results, there could be new rules that might affect how this chemical is made or used, possibly impacting costs and safety practices.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Draft finds TBBPA poses risk
EPA released a draft risk evaluation for TBBPA and preliminarily determined that TBBPA "poses unreasonable risk" to human health and the environment for certain conditions of use. The Agency is seeking public comment on the draft (Docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0462) with comments due by August 17, 2026.
Workers and children flagged as vulnerable
EPA says workers and children are examples of potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations and will consider risks to them in the risk evaluation. The Agency specifically requests information on occupational exposure assumptions and effects on susceptible groups as it finalizes the evaluation.
TBBPA present in products and environment
EPA's draft notes that TBBPA is used in electronic enclosures, printed circuit boards, fabrics, textile and leather products, and construction materials, and that it has been found in drinking water, groundwater, indoor air, fish, dust, soil, and human breast milk. This indicates consumers and the environment can be exposed through product use, dust, and land disposal routes.
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