CMA Petition to Remove MIBK Denied

01 March 1999 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

A request by Chemical Manufacturers Association to remove methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from the list of chemicals reportable to the Toxic Release Inventory has been denied by Environmental Protection Agency.

In a February 23 Federal Register notice, EPA says industry must continue to report annual releases and transfers of MIBK even though the chemical does not appear to be highly toxic. EPA maintains that MIBK should remain on the TRI list because it contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone pollution (smog), which harms human health and the environment.

In its petition, CMA argued that smog is a problem that should be addressed through the Clean Air Act. The TRI was created by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. CMA notes that MIBK is toxic only at extremely high exposure levels, and that it is not known to cause significant chronic health effects in humans. EPA agrees with the industry's hazard assessment but cites "VOC concerns" as the reason MIBK should remain on the TRI list.

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