■ Environmental Business
Continued From Page 30 Polystyrene Foam Food- Service Containers
◾ Customers will no longer be able to purchase plates , cups or utensils made from polystyrene foam . Customers will still be able to purchase plastic utensils and plastic or paper plates and cups .
◾ For the next two years certain polystyrene foam food service products will be exempt from the law , including : raw and deli-sliced meats , poultry and fish trays , portion cups of two ounces or less , if used for hot foods or foods requiring lids . Food pre-packaged by the manufacturer in a polystyrene foam container also is permitted for sale .
◾ Polystyrene foam food-service products such as ice cream cups , coffee cups and soup containers will be prohibited . Food delivery will no longer be able to be served or delivered in polystyrene . This food may be delivered in other materials such as plastic , paper , or aluminum products .
USEPA Moves to Reduce , Understand PFAS Risks
The U . S . Environmental Protection Agency ( USEPA ) released a final human health toxicity assessment for GenX chemicals , which are part of the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance
( PFAS ) group . The agency ’ s final toxicity assessment represents a key step in advancing the scientific understanding of GenX chemicals and their effects on human health .
“ Research establishes a foundation for informed decision making and it is one of the central strategies of the USEPA ’ s PFAS Roadmap ,” said Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox . “ This science-based final assessment marks a critical step in the process of establishing a national drinking water health advisory for GenX chemicals and provides important information to our partners that can be used to protect communities where these chemicals are found .”
In certain locations , GenX chemicals have been found in surface water , ground water , drinking water , rainwater and the air . The USEPA ’ s final assessment for GenX chemicals focuses solely on the potential human health effects associated with oral exposure . Issuing the final toxicity assessment gives the USEPA the opportunity to share and exchange information with the agency ’ s state and tribal co-regulators who are working with their communities to confront this complex environmental challenge .
The agency ’ s final 2021 GenX chemicals assessment uses the state-of-the-art systematic review process , incorporates new data available since 2018 , and applies revised uncertainty factors . These changes resulted in a lower , more protective toxicity value for GenX
chemicals relative to USEPA ’ s 2018 draft toxicity assessment .
The USEPA ’ s release of the final GenX chemicals toxicity assessment is a key step toward developing a national drinking water health advisory for GenX chemicals , which the agency committed to publishing in Spring 2022 as part of the PFAS Roadmap .
USEPA Proposes to Ban Ongoing Uses of Asbestos
To protect people from asbestos exposure , the USEPA is releasing a proposed rule to prohibit ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos currently imported into the United States . This proposed rule is the first-ever risk management rule issued under the new process for evaluating and addressing the safety of existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act ( TSCA ) that was enacted in 2016 .
“ We ’ re taking an important step forward to protect public health and finally put an end to the use of dangerous asbestos in the United States ,” said EPA Administrator Michael S . Regan . “ This historic proposed ban would protect the American people from exposure to chrysotile asbestos , a known carcinogen , and demonstrates significant progress in our work to implement the TSCA law and take bold , long-overdue actions to protect those most vulnerable among us .”
Continued On Page 32
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