TSCA Chemical Testing; Receipt of Test Data

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces EPA's receipt of test data on N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) (CAS No. 872-50-4). These data were submitted pursuant to an enforceable testing consent agreement/order issued by EPA under section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For general information contact: Joseph S. Carra, Deputy Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (7401), Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460 telephone numbers: (202) 554-1404 and TDD: (202) 554-0551; e-mail address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

For technical information contact: Robert Jones, Chemical Control Division (7405), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 260-8130; fax number: (202) 401-3672; e-mail address: ccd.citb@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does This Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to those persons who are concerned about data on health and/or environmental effects and other characteristics of this chemical. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed under “FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.”

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of This Document or Other Related Documents?

1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain other related documents that might be available electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/​. To access this document, on the Home Page select “Laws and Regulations” and then look up the entry for this document under “Federal Register—Environmental Documents.” You can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/​fedrgstr/​.

2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for this action under docket control number OPPTS-44653. The official record consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received during an appplicable comment period, and other information related to this action, including any information claimed as confidential business information (CBI). This official record includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, North East Mall Rm. B-607, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. The Center is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Center is (202) 260-7099.

II. Test Data Submissions

Under 40 CFR 790.60, all TSCA section 4 enforceable consent agreements/orders must contain a statement that results of testing conducted pursuant to enforceable consent agreements/orders will be announced to the public in accordance with section 4(d) of TSCA.

Test data for N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) were submitted by the NMP Producers Group on behalf of the member companies: Lyondell Chemical Company (formerly ARCO Chemical Company), BASF Corporation, and ISP Management Company, Inc. These data were submitted pursuant to a TSCA section 4 enforceable consent agreement/order and were received by EPA on November 23, 1999. The submission includes a final report entitled “N-Methylpyrrolidone - Carcinogenicity study in B6C3F1 mice; Administration in the diet for 18 months.” NMP is an inert, stable, polar solvent that is used in a wide variety of processes. Its commercial uses result from its strong and frequently selective solvent power. One of the major uses of NMP is the extraction of aromatics from lubricating oils. It is also used as a medium for polymerization and as a solvent for finished polymers. It is the preferred solvent in a variety of chemical reactions and the manufacture of numerous chemical intermediates and products such as plastics, surface coatings, and pesticides. An important use of this chemical is as a substitute for methylene chloride in paint strippers. NMP is also used in the recovery and purification of acetylenes, olefins, and diolefins, in the removal of sulfur compounds from natural and refinery gasses, and in the dehydration of natural gas.

EPA has initiated its review and evaluation process for this submission. At this time, the Agency is unable to provide any determination as to the completeness of the submission.

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2603.

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Hazardous substances
• Toxic substances