EPA Releases Final Chemical Risk Evaluation for Carbon Tetrachloride

For Release: November 3, 2020

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final risk evaluation for carbon tetrachloride. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA is required to evaluate the risks associated with existing chemicals in commerce using the best available science before taking action to address any unreasonable risks. Today’s final risk findings complete the risk evaluation process required by TSCA for carbon tetrachloride.

EPA used feedback received from the public and the scientific peer review process carried out by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals to inform the final risk evaluation. The final risk evaluation for carbon tetrachloride determined that there are unreasonable risks to workers and occupational non-users for 13 out of 15 conditions of use. EPA found no unreasonable risks to the environment. There are no consumer uses of this chemical.

The next step in the process required by TSCA is developing a plan to reduce or eliminate the unreasonable risks identified in the final risk evaluation. EPA is moving immediately to risk management for this chemical and will work as quickly as possible to propose and finalize actions to protect workers and occupational non-users.

There is a range of potential actions EPA could take to address these risks, including regulation of how the chemical is used, or limiting or prohibiting the manufacture, processing, distribution in the marketplace, use, or disposal of this chemical, as applicable. As with any chemical product, EPA strongly recommends that users of products containing carbon tetrachloride continue to carefully follow all instructions on the product’s label and safety data sheet.

View the carbon tetrachloride final risk evaluation and supporting documents.

Background

Carbon tetrachloride is a solvent. It is used in commercial settings as a raw material for producing other chemicals like refrigerants, chlorinated compounds, and agricultural products in accordance with the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol. Carbon tetrachloride is not currently used as a direct reactant or additive in the formulation of consumer products.

This is the fourth final risk evaluation EPA has issued. The agency plans to issue final risk evaluations for the remaining 6 of the first 10 chemicals by the end of 2020. Learn more about the risk evaluation process required by TSCA: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/how-epa-evaluates-safety-existing-chemicals