Home »

EPA Proposes New Workplace Safety Requirements for Carbon Tetrachloride

Industrial Hygiene Testing

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	10/31/2023
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	EPA Proposes New Workplace Safety Requirements for Carbon Tetrachloride
Introduction	EMSL Analytical provides industrial hygiene and environmental testing services, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment to protect workers and the public from chemical exposure risks.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey, October 31, 2023 In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to better protect workers from exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CTC), a chemical known to cause serious health risks such as liver toxicity and cancer. The proposal, if finalized, would protect people from these risks by minimizing exposures to workers and communities, while banning uses that have already ceased. According to the EPA announcement: CTC is a solvent used in commercial settings as a raw material for producing other chemicals like hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) used in refrigerants, aerosol propellants, foam-blowing agents, chlorinated compounds and agricultural products. Requirements under the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act led to a phaseout of CTC production in the United States in 1996 for most domestic uses that did not involve manufacturing of other chemicals, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of CTC in consumer products in 1970. “EPA has determined that CTC presents an unreasonable risk to health from chronic inhalation and dermal exposures,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This risk is largely to workers and occupational non-users, but the agency has also identified potential risks to fenceline communities. This rule, if finalized, will require a workplace chemical protection program with strict controls that include inhalation exposure limits, dermal protections and other conditions.” Dedicated to assisting industries that utilize CTC are the industrial hygiene and environmental testing experts at EMSL Analytical. They offer laboratory services for CTC and many other industrial chemicals. EMSL also provides sampling supplies and a wide range of respirators and other personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure hazards. These services protect workers and the public, while also helping companies comply with existing and future health and safety regulations. To learn more about carbon tetrachloride testing or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.