EPA Finds Second Chemical in Plastic Pipes Must Be Regulated

A few uses of diisononyl phthalate, which manufacturers use to make plastic and other products, have enough potential of harming workers that the chemical will have to be regulated, the EPA concluded in an evaluation issued Tuesday.

The Environmental Protection Agency examined 47 general ways diisononyl phthalate (DINP) can be used and found that four industrial and commercial applications have an “unreasonable risk” of injuring workers’ health. That conclusion means the agency must issue some kind of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) rule restricting the substance.

The chemical might damage the liver and cause problems when offspring are exposed during ...