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FINAL POLICY STATEMENT ISSUED ON PERSISTENT HIGHLY TOXIC CHEMICALS
Release Date: 11/04/99
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1999
FINAL POLICY STATEMENT ISSUED ON PERSISTENT
HIGHLY TOXIC CHEMICALS
EPA has issued a final policy statement on establishing a category for persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) new chemical substances. PBT chemicals are priority pollutants because they do not break down quickly and remain in the environment for long periods. They bioaccumulate, or build up, in the food chain and are known to cause a variety of health hazards at low doses, including reproductive disorders and cancer. The policy statement establishes the parameters for what is to be considered a PBT chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and is important to the regulation of new chemicals. The policy also will serve as a model for other countries in taking steps to discourage the introduction of these substances as new chemicals and pesticides. It will be published in the Federal Register on or about Nov. 4. More information on the control of PBTs in the TSCA new chemicals program is at: https://www.epa.gov/opptintr/newchms. General information on PBT chemicals is at: https://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pbt.
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