Five Chemicals Fast-Tracked by EPA for Possible Control

Five chemicals that the Environmental Protection Agency says pose particular hazards due to how long they persist in the environment, how they bioaccumulate up the food chain and their toxicity are being fast-tracked for action to reduce exposures to them, the agency announced Oct. 11.

Two other compounds on the agency’s PBT list will be examined through a full agency risk evaluation at the company’s request.

“The threats from persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals are well-documented,” Jim Jones, assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention, said in a statement today announcing the effort.

The chemicals are used as solvents, ...