The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not selected long-chain chlorinated paraffins (C18-20) or medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (C14-17) for the current round of prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). ILMA had urged the EPA to classify these extreme-pressure additives, critical to many metalworking fluid formulations, as low priority.

 

Read more background on the issue in Compoundings magazine.

 

This means long-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs and LCCPs) will not be subject to risk evaluation and scrutinized for purposes of regulation at this time. While the agency noted it will continue to receive information on these substances, ILMA made its case, and the EPA has listened.

 

ILMA will continue to keep an eye on 4-tert-octyl phenol, which was selected for the prioritization process. This substance is used by some ILMA supplier members that make surfactants. The Association will ensure that members understand how regulatory developments may affect downstream manufacturing processes.