EPA Omits Crucial Exposures in Silicone Analysis, Advisers Say

The EPA’s silicone chemical risk evaluation doesn’t acknowledge many ways the compound gets into the environment and people’s bodies, according to a scientific advisory panel.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) critiqued Dec. 2-4 the agency’s draft analysis of the risks posed by the chemical octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), used to make silicone for thousands of applications in airplanes, cars, construction materials, cell phones and other electronics, energy technologies, medical devices, and commercial and consumer products.

The agency preliminarily determined certain uses of D4 pose too great a risk of harming people’s health and the environment.

If finalized, ...