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Promoting the Design and Use of Safer Chemicals
Incentivize the development of safer chemicals and make it easier for consumers to find these options in the
marketplace.There are over 2,200 DfE-labeled products available, and these products meet stringent human and
environmental health criteria, ensure the products are safer and perform well, and contain the safest possible
ingredients.
Our Ongoing Actions To Reduce Chemicals Risks include:
Managing New Chemicals
EPA's New Chemicals program helps manage the potential risk to human health and the environment from chemicals
newto the marketplace. The program functions as a "gatekeeper" that can identify conditions, up to and including a
ban on production, to be placed on the use of a new chemical before it is entered into commerce. More information
can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/Managing Chemicals Specifically Regulated under TSCA.
We address the production, import, use, and disposal of specific chemicals including formaldehyde, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, and lead-based paint, including implementation of rules to help prevent lead poisoning
during renovation, repair and painting activities. Access information on EPA's lead poisoning prevention program at
www.epa.gov/lead
Prevent Pollution through Grants, Voluntary Efforts
We are aiso involved in pollution prevention (P2), which is reducing or eliminating waste at the source. For
example, we encourage modifying production processes, the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, with green
chemistry and engineering approaches, conservation techniques, and re-using materials rather than putting them
into the waste stream. Along with our regulatory efforts, we oversee numerous voluntary P2 efforts:
Design for the Environment (DfE) to promote design of safer consumer, industrial and institutional chemical
based products and the Safer Chemicals Ingredient List to identify safer alternatives
E3: Economy, Energy and Environment Initiative and Green Suppliers Network to help the manufacturing
sector to use safer chemicals and new technologies in communities across the country make more money
and reduce pollution
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, the Federal Electronics Challenge Program and other initiatives to
encourage greener purchasing across a variety of sectors
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards to spur innovation in chemistry to promote pollution
prevention through the development, manufacture and use of greener chemistry and safer products
For More Information
TSCA Frequent Questions: (202) 554-1404 Online: http://toxics.custhelp.com
National Lead Information Center (NLIC) Hotline: (800) 424-LEAD Online: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC): (202) 566-0799 Online: www.epa.gov/opptintr/ppic
Visit us at www.epa.gov/oppt and download this fact sheet
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper. March 2015
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