Toxic Substances

More than 60,000 chemicals are used commercially in this country, some of which have been shown to cause tumors, birth defects, and cancer. Other chemicals may be just as harmful, but adequate data do not exist to make that determination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may require chemical manufacturers and processors to test these chemicals for health and environmental effects and submit the results to EPA, which can then assess them and regulate those chemicals found to present unreasonable risks. In June 1991, GAO reported that since the Passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, EPA had received test results for only 22 chemicals. As of June 1991, EPA had reviewed results for 16 of the 22 chemicals. EPA has decided to take no further action on eight of the 16 chemicals reviewed. Of the remaining eight chemicals, four have been referred to other federal agencies and EPA offices for possible regulatory action, two are being considered for more testing, and two are undergoing further ongoing testing.

GAO found that: (1) as of June 1991, EPA had completed its review of test results for 16 of 22 chemicals which met data submission requirements; (2) EPA plans no further action on 7 of the 16 chemicals with negative test results; (3) despite test results indicating potential adverse effects, EPA plans no further action on an eighth chemical because its exposure to people or the environment was low; (4) four of the eight remaining chemicals showed adverse effects and EPA referred those chemicals to other agencies and EPA offices for possible regulatory action; (5) EPA was planning additional testing for two other chemicals that did not indicate potential adverse effects, but were of sufficient concern to warrant testing; (6) EPA was waiting for the results of further ongoing testing before deciding what action to take on the final two chemicals; (7) from their nomination for testing through the completion of EPA reviews, the average time required for testing the 16 completed chemicals was 8 years; and (8) when the industry does not agree with the testing plan and time frames, EPA can issue a final test rule, under which industry must conduct the testing program according to EPA specifications.