Criterion

Found in Common Household Products

On January 4, EPA released draft risk assessments, for particular uses, on five chemicals found in common household products for public comment. The agency addressed the following chemicals:

• Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) in paint-stripper products
• n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in paint-stripper products
• trichloroethylene (TCE) as a degreaser and a spray-on protective coating
• Antimony trioxide (ATO) as a synergist in halogenated flame retardants
• 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8,-hexamethylcyclopenta[y]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) as a fragrance ingredient in commercial and consumer products

EPA believes that there are “potential [health] risks of concern” for workers or others exposed to the chemcials DCM, NMP, and TCE from the particular uses outlined in the draft risk assessments. An overview of the draft risk assessments is available on our website .

The draft risk assessments were developed under EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan. The comment period is open for 60 days.