On November 15, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of the first of its draft risk evaluations for the first 10 chemicals being reviewed under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  The draft risk evaluation is for a chemical called Pigment Violet 29 (PV29).  One notable aspect of this chemical is how few hazard studies have been conducted.

Pigment Violet 29 (Anthra[2,1,9-def:6,5,10-d′e′f′] diisoquinoline-1,3,8,10(2H,9H)-tetrone) (pigment violet 29) is a perylene derivative used to color materials and as an intermediate for other perylene pigments. The pigment is utilized as an intermediate to create or adjust the color of other pigments, as well as in commercial paints, coatings, plastics, and rubber products. C.I. Pigment Violet 29 is an organic pigment that has a low solubility, low volatility, is expected to be highly persistent and has low bioaccumulation potential in fish and other animals.

Information about the problem formulation and scope phases of the risk evaluation for this chemical is available at https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-evaluation-pigment-violet-29-anthra219-def6510.

Industry watchdogs have previously voiced this concern during public comment periods, noting that PV29 lacked data on chronic effects.  PV29 does not have the minimum amount of information deemed by international authorities as necessary to conduct even a screening-level assessment of a chemical’s hazards, let alone a full risk evaluation.  Unfortunately, EPA has not taken steps to fill these major data gaps and as a result the new draft includes no additional data. Despite the lack of data, EPA has declared the chemical safe.

EPA is seeking public comment on the draft risk evaluation for PV29 to determine whether it presents an unreasonable risk to health or the environment under the conditions of use. EPA is also submitting these same documents to the TSCA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC), which will peer review the draft risk evaluation. Comments need to be submitted no later than January 14, 2019. Unfortunately the current government shutdown impacts this action.

Posted by Helen Gillespie