Energy Workforce recently submitted a request to extend the public comment period for the “2-23 Draft Supplement to the 1,4-Dioxane Risk Evaluation.” The EPA published a final risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane in December 2020 but decided to create a supplement to assess previously unexamined exposure pathways, including 1,4-dioxane in industrial processes and products, general population exposures and new evaluation methods. They are now seeking public review and feedback on these new methods for risk evaluations, which will inform the final 1,4-dioxane risk evaluation supplement.
In the comments, Energy Workforce notes that the draft supplement in question introduces a groundbreaking methodology into the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation framework, which has far-reaching implications for the sector’s operations. Given this draft’s complexity and extensive content, Energy Workforce formally requested an extension of the current public comment period.
If granted this extension, Energy Workforce plans to gather input from Member Company subject matter experts, and conduct a thorough analysis of the proposed exposure scenario. This effort will be led by the Environmental Policy Committee, which has representation from Baker Hughes, DistributionNOW, Halliburton, Milestone Environmental Services, Newpark, SLB and Vallourec.
The EPA plans to hold a four-day virtual public meeting on the topic on September 12-15 for the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) to review the 2023 draft supplement risk evaluation. The feedback from this session will be considered in the development of the final supplement and may help refine the EPA’s methods for conducting release assessments and evaluation of general population exposures.
For more information on this topic or if your company is interested in engaging on the issue, contact Senior Director Energy Policy Maria Suarez-Simmons.
Maria Suarez-Simmons, Senior Director Energy Policy, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
