On June 16, 2026, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of a draft risk evaluation for 4,4′-(1-Methylethylidene)bis[2,6-dibromophenol) (TBBPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and opened a public consultation period through August 17, 2026. Based on its preliminary assessment, EPA determined that TBBPA presents unreasonable risks to human health and the environment under certain conditions of use. TBBPA is used as both an additive and reactive flame retardant in applications including electronic equipment housings, printed circuit boards, textiles, leather products, and construction materials. EPA's draft evaluation identifies potential risks associated with occupational exposure during manufacturing, processing, use, and disposal activities, as well as environmental releases and consumer exposure pathways. EPA is seeking public input on multiple aspects of the draft evaluation, including non-cancer and cancer hazard conclusions, occupational exposure assumptions, environmental release modeling, domestic manufacturing activities, environmental impacts, and additional scientific studies relevant to the assessment. Following public consultation and peer review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC), EPA will finalize the risk evaluation and determine whether TBBPA presents an unreasonable risk under TSCA. If unreasonable risks are confirmed in the final evaluation, EPA may subsequently develop risk management measures for the substance.
Consult
