Import of harmful chemicals used in carpets to be restricted

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a rule that will allow the agency to restrict imports of potentially harmful perfluorinated chemicals that could be used in carpets.

The regulation will require companies to report to EPA all new uses, including in domestic and imported products, of these chemicals once used for soil and stain resistance in carpets.

Imported carpets are under scrutiny
for perfluorinated chemicals.

These chemicals have been shown to persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and animals – they represent a potential threat to American’s health.

This action follows the U.S. chemical industry’s voluntary phase out of these chemicals and a range of actions by EPA to address concerns with these chemicals.

“While this category of chemicals has largely been voluntarily phased out by the U.S. chemical industry and not in use in this country, they could still be imported in carpets. Today’s action will ensure that EPA has the opportunity to take action to restrict or limit the intended use, if warranted, for any new domestic uses or imports,” said Jim Jones, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, in a press release.

“This action will also provide a level playing field for those companies who stepped up to cease the use of these chemicals in this country, while at the same time protecting the American public from exposure to these chemicals in imported carpet products.”

The final rule issued today, known as a Significant New Use Rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act, requires that anyone who intends to manufacture (including import) or process any long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic (LCPFAC) chemicals for use in carpets or carpet products submit a notification to EPA at least 90 days before beginning the activity, providing the agency with an opportunity to review and, if necessary, place limits on manufacturers or processors who intend to reintroduce or import products with these chemicals.

Today’s action is one of several EPA has taken to protect the public from perfluorinated chemicals.

Information on today’s final rule and other actions EPA has taken on perfluorinated chemicals can be found here.

Reduce chemical exposure at home and at work

Potentially harmful chemicals can leech out of carpets and other types of fabrics, wood veneer, electronics, office furniture and printers, even building materials and paint.

Granular activated carbon can remove
airborne chemicals, gases and fumes.

Good ventilation and air cleaning can help reduce exposure to these substances. Electrocorp offers versatile air cleaners for a variety of industrial and commercial applications.

The air cleaners remove airborne contaminants such as chemicals, gases, fumes, dust, particles, mold, bacteria, viruses and volatile organic compounds with a multistage air filter system that includes a heavy-duty activated carbon filter, HEPA and UV germicidal filtration.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and a free consultation.

Chemical industry news: Voluntary efforts increase to reduce toxic chemicals

Chemical manufacturing plants are
voluntarily phasing out some
toxic chemicals, the EPA reports.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released results of a voluntary effort by eight chemical manufacturers to reduce emissions and use of long-chain perfluorinated chemicals (LCPFCs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The chemicals are used in hundreds of manufacturing and industrial applications and reducing their impact on the environment and human health has been a priority for the EPA and health groups.

Long-chain perfluorinated chemicals persist in the environment for a long time and they can build up in animals and humans.

The companies, which are participating in a special voluntary program overseen by the EPA, have developed more than 150 alternatives to long-chain perfluorinated chemicals and informed the EPA that they are on track to phase out LCPFCs by the end of 2015.

The EPA is working to involve more companies in the program to reduce these toxic chemicals.

Source: EPA

Reduce levels of indoor air chemicals

While it is great to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals, chemical manufacturing companies and other industries may also want to reduce the levels of toxic chemicals in the ambient air.

Electrocorp offers industrial-strength air purification systems with activated carbon and HEPA that can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants, including more than 200 airborne chemicals and gases.

For more information and options, contact Electrocorp.