TSCA Screening Level Approach for Assessing Ambient Air and Water Exposures to Fenceline Communities
In January 2022, EPA released for public comment and peer review Version 1.0 of a proposed screening level methodology to evaluate potential chemical exposures and associated potential risks to fenceline communities in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluations.
The proposed screening level methodology uses reasonably available data, information, and models to quantify environmental releases, evaluate exposures to fenceline communities and characterize risks associated with such releases and exposures.
EPA plans to use the screening level methodology to determine the risks to fenceline communities from the air and water pathways that were not assessed previously for seven of the first ten chemicals for which EPA published risk evaluations.
EPA plans to use the screening level methodology to determine the risks to fenceline communities from the air and water pathways that were not assessed previously for seven of the first ten chemicals for which EPA published risk evaluations. For the next 20 chemicals undergoing risk evaluation and beyond, EPA plans to expand this first version of the framework to include a method to address broader potential environmental justice concerns and cumulative or aggregate exposures to chemicals.
EPA held a public virtual meeting of the SACC on March 15-17, 2022, to peer review the screening level methodology. Information on the public virtual meeting is available on the SACC website.
Learn more about risk evaluations for existing chemicals under TSCA.