TSCA Work Plan Chemical Problem Formulation and Initial Assessment for 1,4-dioxane
Author:
US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Date Published:
4/2015
Description:
This document presents the problem formulation and initial assessment for 1,4-dioxane as part of the TSCA Work Plan program. 1,4-Dioxane is an industrial solvent used in the production of a wide variety of products, as a laboratory reagent, a chemical intermediate, an extraction medium for fats and oils, and as part of a polymerization catalyst. Other uses of 1,4-dioxane are in commercial and consumer products such as lacquers, varnishes, paint strippers, dyes, greases, cleaners and detergents, adhesives, cosmetics and deodorants. 1,4-Dioxane is also present as an unintended byproduct in cosmetics, detergents, and shampoos. Historically, 90% of all 1,4-dioxane was used as a stabilizer in chlorinated solvents such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). Use of 1,4-dioxane has decreased since 1,1,1-trichloroethane was phased out by the Montreal Protocol in 1996 for all uses except a few select applications. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, 10 to 50 million pounds were manufactured yearly and from 1994 to 2006, the yearly U.S. production volume of 1,4- dioxane has been 1 to 10 million pounds. Recent data show that 1.1 million pounds is released to the environment. During scoping and problem formulation, EPA/OPPT reviewed previous risk assessments and additional published studies on the fate, exposure and hazard of 1,4-dioxane. EPA/OPPT examined likely exposure and hazard scenarios based on current production, use, and fate information to identify scenarios amenable to risk analysis.
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