TSCA interagency testing committee actions related to phthalates.

The Interagency Testing Committee was established by the Toxic Substances Control Act in October 1976 and has the statutory responsibility to identify and recommend to the EPA Administrator chemical substances or mixtures that should be given high priority for testing to determine the hazard to human health and to the environment. Under TSCA, testing is the responsibility of industry. The TSCA Interagency Testing Committee had 6 months (April 1977 to October 1977) to compile the Preliminary List. This list of approximately 300 substances, mixture or categories was published in July 1977. On this list appeared the alkyl phthalates (shortand long-chain). Comments were requested on the procedures used to develop the list and on specific items on the list (1). At that time the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory was not ready. Chemicals on the initial list were then screened for their potential for adverse effects in humans and in the environment. A dossier was prepared on alkyl phthalates by the supporting contractor and information on the phthalates listed in Table 1 was presented. After detailed review by the Committee, the category was recommended for environmental effects testing in the Initial Report dated October 12, 1977. The category was defined by the Committee as all alkyl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid produced in quantities of 10 million lb/yr or greater. The potential for exposure due to phthalates reaching the aquatic environment, persistence and accumulation in aquatic organisms were major causes for concern. Some phthalates are produced in