The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended a call for public comments on candidates for the peer review of its draft risk evaluation of 1,3-butadiene. The deadline for submissions is 29 November 2024, as the agency seeks expert input to guide its final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
What Is 1,3-Butadiene?
1,3-butadiene is a colourless, highly flammable gas with a mild gasoline-like odour. It is widely used in the production of rubber, plastics, adhesives, and other industrial products. Due to its potential health risks, such as carcinogenicity, it has become a priority substance for regulatory evaluation.
Public Involvement in Peer Review
The EPA announced this initiative in September 2024, initially requesting nominations for ad hoc reviewers. These candidates, whose biographies are now available online, are being vetted for their expertise in relevant fields such as toxicology, epidemiology, and environmental risk assessment.
Submission Guidelines
Members of the public are encouraged to review the candidates' qualifications and provide comments through the official docket (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0425) on regulations.gov. The EPA advises against including sensitive personal or business information in submissions, as public comments may be posted online.
Next Steps in the Review Process
A Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) panel will conduct the peer review in early 2025. The SACC’s evaluation will focus on methodologies and scientific approaches used in the draft risk assessment, providing critical feedback to refine the EPA's final report.
