February 2, 2009
OPPT Accomplishments Report January 2007 through January 2009 Released -- This Web-based report updates the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics' previous Accomplishment Report to include recent efforts such as the accelerated posting of risk-based and hazard-based prioritizations under the Chemical Assessment and Management Program, or ChAMP; the launching of an investigation into the potential health risks of formaldehyde's use in pressed wood products and the issuance of an interim report on the status of the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP).

January 30, 2009
EPA announced it is extending the public comment period for 45 days on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking on formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products, and that it will hold one additional public meeting in New Orleans on March 4, 2009, to enable more complete public participation.

January 12, 2009
Interim Report on Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) Available – EPA received a significant amount of data which has strengthened its understanding of the issues and commercial status of nanoscale materials. However, a number of environmental health and safety data gaps the Agency had hoped to fill through the NMSP still exist. EPA will continue the NMSP and is also considering how to best use its regulatory authorities to help address those data gaps.

December 17, 2008
Nearly $3 million in environmental community grants to be awarded – CARE grants are for projects to reduce pollution at the local level. Apply for a grant; deadline, March 16, 2009. Eighteen U.S. communities received $2.5 million in cooperative agreement CARE grants in 2008.

December 15, 2008
Submit innovative designs to the Lifecycle Green Building Challenge that minimize waste, reuse materials, and cut greenhouse gases Entries are due in August 2009.

December 8, 2008
EPA is encouraging the phase-out of mercury in glass non-fever thermometers used in industrial and laboratory settings by promoting alternatives to mercury in glass thermometers, eliminating mercury in EPA labs, reviewing industrial standards, and reviewing EPA regulations and test methods.

November 25, 2008
A broad effort has been launched to gain a greater scientific understanding of the potential health risks of formaldehyde's use in pressed wood products. EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) describing the Agency's efforts to investigate regulatory or other actions that might be appropriate to protect against risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from pressed wood products. A series of public meetings will solicit public input on the effort.

November 19, 2008
For outstanding achievements in manufacturing, using and encouraging the use of safer surfactants, 40 companies and organizations were named the first Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative Champions by EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. Learn about EPA's Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative and the new award program.

November 6, 2008
Use alternative products that do not contain mercury to prevent exposure to this toxic material, including exposure due to breakage of a product. Search EPA’s new database to identify consumer and commercial products that contain mercury and also to identify non-mercury alternatives.

October 30, 2008
Nominations for 2009 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards - EPA is accepting nominations for the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. Self-nominations are expected and must be received by December 31. Read more information on how to enter the award competition.

October 20, 2008
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 19-25. This year EPA is highlighting its new rule to protect families from the dangers of lead dust resulting from renovations and everyday painting and repairs, the “Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.” Learn about lead poisoning prevention activities across the country.

October 16, 2008
The document Wire and Cable Insulation and Jacketing: Life-Cycle Assessments for Selected Applications – Summary is now available on the Design for the Environment Program web site, which summarizes the results of an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of resin systems with alternative heat stabilizer formulations used in several wire and cable applications.

September 24, 2008
Chemical Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP) - EPA has outlined enhancements to ChAMP, including a reset of the TSCA Inventory and collecting health and safety information on inorganic high-production volume chemicals. Read the speech (PDF) (5 pp., 2.4MB, about PDF) and press release.

September 8, 2008
National Pollution Prevention Week - One of the most important ways to protect the environment is by reducing pollution before it ever gets to the environment. National Pollution Prevention Week is September 15-21, and this year's theme "Pollution Prevention - Where Sustainable Practices Begins" reminds us that preventing pollution is at the heart of sustainability.

September 2, 2008
Lead Test Kit Evaluation - EPA is evaluating the effectiveness of lead test kits by asking vendors to submit test kits for review to ensure fewer false negatives.

August 19, 2008
The new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Import-Export Web site pulls together into one site a comprehensive presentation of information on TSCA import and export requirements that may apply to various chemicals and circumstances under, among others, TSCA Sections 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 13.

July 14, 2008
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) January 2007 – June 2008 Accomplishments Report Released – This web-based report highlights OPPT's expanded efforts to ensure the safety of existing chemicals through the newly created program "ChAMP," and OPPT’s promotion of pollution prevention and environmental stewardship. Other accomplishments include initiating the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program, issuing a new lead rule to reduce risks of lead poisoning in children, and reaching a milestone in the PFOA Stewardship Program with member companies' first annual progress reports received and made publicly available.

June 24, 2008
2008 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Winners Announced - Five leading researchers have received awards for chemical technology innovations that promote cleaner, cheaper, and smarter chemistry. Developing safer, environmentally friendly chemicals and processes results in reduced waste, safer products, and reduced use of energy and resources. Over the past 13 years, collectively, award-winning technologies have eliminated more than 1.1 billion pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, saved over 21 billion gallons of water, and eliminated nearly 400 million pounds of carbon dioxide releases to air.

June 23, 2008
Following review of a TSCA Section 21 petition, EPA is launching a broad effort to gain a greater scientific understanding of the potential health risks of the use of formaldehyde in pressed wood products. Through this process, EPA will develop risk assessments on the 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.

Previous announcements and recent additions.