Jump to main content.

Section 21 Petitions Filed with EPA Since September 2007

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

Formaldehyde

June 23, 2008 -- EPA is launching a broad effort to gain a greater scientific understanding of the potential health risks of formaldehyde's use in pressed wood products. Through this process, EPA will develop risk assessments on potential adverse health effects, evaluate the costs and benefits of possible control technologies and approaches, and determine whether EPA action is needed to address any identified risks. The Agency plans to issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in fall 2008.

The Agency is pursing this course of action following review of a TSCA Section 21 citizens' petition (PDF) (106 pp, 4.44MB), which requested that EPA adopt nationally a recently enacted California regulation to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products and to extend the rule to include composite wood products in manufactured homes.

EPA carefully reviewed the citizens' petition, submitted by the Sierra Club, a number of other environmental organizations, as well as a large number of private citizens, and sought comment and additional information on the petition. Read EPA's letter to the petitioners (PDF) (1 pp, 84KB) and the response to the petition in the Federal Register.

EPA will work closely with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on issues related to manufactured housing.

Natural Rubber Latex Adhesives

June 3, 2006 -- EPA denied a petition filed under Section 21 of TSCA to establish regulations prohibiting the use of some natural rubber latex adhesives.

March 6, 2008 -- Michael J. Dochniak filed a Section 21 petition with EPA requesting the Agency establish regulations prohibiting the use and distribution in commerce of Hevea brasiliensis natural rubber latex adhesives with a total protein content greater than 200 micrograms per [gram] dry weight of latex based on the American Society for Testing Materials method ASTM D1076-06 (Category 4). The petitioner said he thinks that issuance of such a regulation will affect the incidence and prevalence of latex allergy and allergy-induced autism in neonates. EPA denied the petitioner’s request, however, as unsupported and unnecessary.

Read the petition (PDF) (8pp, 147KB) and the decision in the June 9, 2008, Federal Register. Exhibits to the petition can be viewed in the docket (EPA-OPPT-2008-0273) at http://www.regulations.gov.

Air Fresheners

On September 20, 2007, the Sierra Club, the National Center for Healthy Housing, the Alliance for Healthy Homes, and the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a Section 21 petition with EPA requesting that EPA:

On December 18, 2007, in letters to the petitioners (PDF) (4pp, 1.82MB), EPA dismissed the petitioners’ first request under Section 8(c) because it did not involve a proceeding for a rule, and denied the petitioners’ other three requests as unsupported and unnecessary.

Read the petition (PDF) (10pp, 175kb). Read the decision in the December 21, 2007 Federal Register.

Additional Action Related to Air Fresheners

EPA sent letters to seven companies that produce air fresheners (PDF) (14pp, 9.92MB) asking them to voluntarily submit certain production and ingredient information to EPA by March 31, 2008. On March 24, 2008, EPA granted the companies 45 day extension (PDF) (2pp, 78kb) until May 15, 2008. The following responses (PDF), (47 pp, 14.6 MB, About PDF) submitted by the manufacturers to EPA, are available to the public.

Read more information about TSCA Section 21.

Top of page

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.