EPA issues a significant new use rule for multi-walled carbon nanotubes

(Nanowerk News) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the chemical substance identified generically as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) which was the subject of premanufacture notice (PMN) P-08-199.
This action requires persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process the chemical substance for a use that is designated as a significant new use by this final rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity.
EPA believes that this action is necessary because the chemical substance may be hazardous to human health. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.
This final rule is effective June 6, 2011.
As discussed in the proposed rule, EPA identified concerns for lung effects, immunotoxicity, and mutagenicity from exposure to the PMN substance during its review of the chemical substance, which was the subject of P–08–199. These concerns were based on test data on analogous respirable, poorly soluble particulates and on other carbon nanotubes (CNTs). EPA determined that the PMN substance met the decisional criteria at § 721.170.
Source: EPA