The organization stated newer data demonstrate the solvent poses low hazard, likely easing Clean Air Act restrictions on paints, coatings and adhesives.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is featuring to remove away a Dow Chemical-manufactured compound from its list of dangerous air pollutants.
This hardly ever used regulatory action could ease federal regulations on some industrial and consumer products however is already elevating concerns amongst environmental advocates.
In a proposed rule posted in late December, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated the corporation aims to grant a petition filed through Dow in 2019 to delist 2-Butoxyethyl Benzoate, generally called 2-BEB, from the Clean Air Act’s dangerous air pollutant, or HAP, list.
Dow produces the chemical to be used in paints, coatings, printing inks, adhesives and a few cosmetics.
Dangerous air pollutants are regulated under the Clean Air Act primarily based on proof linking them to cancer, breathing problems or other extreme health impacts. Congress listed around 190 substances when it amended the law in 1990, and facilities that emit them are subject to strict federal controls.
In more than three decades, EPA has removed only 4-substances from the list.
EPA officials stated the proposed change shows a overview of more recent scientific data showing that 2-BEB does now not meet the statutory criteria for classification as a dangerous air pollutant.
“If finalized, this action could permit industry to use 2-BEB in formulations in place of different similar chemicals without growing dangerous air pollutant emissions,” the corporation stated in a precise of the proposal.
As per EPA and industry analyses, 2-BEB is mainly used as a solvent and plasticizer that improves the flow and stability of liquid products. The corporation observed it has low volatility — meaning it does not effortlessly evaporate into the air — and to available research studies low toxicity at typical exposure levels. It is not classified as a recognized or probable human carcinogen.
Dow claimed in its petition that clients “strongly like to avoid the usage of any listed HAP” and that the designation discouraged use of 2-BEB even if it may replace more dangerous chemicals. The corporation also stated delisting could result in environmental benefits by encouraging substitution away from solvents with higher emissions or toxicity.
The petition method stretched over numerous years. EPA first of all determined the 2019 petition became incomplete and asked additional information, which Dow supplied through 2021. EPA deemed the petition complete later that yr earlier than issuing its proposed approval in December 2025.
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA may delist a substance if there’s adequate information demonstrating its emissions and environmental presence “won’t reasonably be predicted” to cause adverse health or environmental effects.
Environmental advocacy organizations have traditionally been skeptical of delisting actions, warning they can weaken long-standing Clean Air Act protections. Critics claims that removing away a chemical from the HAP list can reduce oversight and emissions controls, potentially increasing cumulative exposure— in particular in communities already burdened by industrial pollution.
Some environmental agencies have also raised issues about language in EPA’s proposal explaining a more “streamlined” technique to reviewing future delisting petitions, which they fear ought to limit opportunities for public input or lower the bar for removing chemical from the list.
EPA officials say delisting decisions need extensive scientific review and highlight that many chemicals were originally listed in 1990 based on wide chemical categories instead of individual risk assessments.
The proposed rule does not right away change any regulations.
EPA is accepting public comments by Feb. 20, and a virtual public hearing may be held if requested. After reviewing remarks, the organization will decide whether to finalize the delisting of 2-BEB.
