On December 6, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was extending the public comment period to receive information on the five persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals that are subject to Section 6(h) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) which requires EPA to take expedited regulatory action to address risks from certain PBT chemicals.  Comments were initially due on December 9, 2017; they are now due on January 12, 2018.  EPA states it is interested in information from the public about these chemicals, including uses, products containing these chemicals, exposed populations, and alternatives to these chemicals.  Very few comments have been filed regarding these chemicals thus far.  The chemicals and corresponding docket numbers are:

• Decabromodiphenyl ethers (DecaBDE), used as a flame retardant in textiles, plastics and polyurethane foam -- Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0724;

• Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), used in the manufacture of rubber compounds and lubricants and as a solvent  -- Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0738;

• Pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP), used as an agent to make rubber more pliable in industrial uses -- Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0739;

• Phenol, isopropylated, phosphate (3:1), used as a flame retardant in consumer products and other industrial uses, Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0730; and

• 2,4,6-Tris(tert-butyl) phenol, used as a fuel, oil, gasoline or lubricant additive -- Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0734.