Japan Identifies 18 Chemicals for Closer Look after Priority Risk Assessments

After an extensive review of 86 chemicals, including detailed environmental and human health risk assessments, the Japanese government has identified 18 chemicals for closer review. The Tier I assessments resulted in five chemicals classified as substances that would be further monitored for production or import volume, mainly because they were considered likely to have fairly low levels. But 18 chemicals were deemed to be of significant enough potential risk to necessitate the Tier 2 assessments. Tier 2 assessments include requirements for manufacturers and importers to provide both health and safety hazard data and exposure information.

Eleven chemicals were identified based on their presumed risk to human health:

• hydrazine
• 1,3-butadiene
• dichloromethane
• 1,2-dichloropropane
• chloroethylene
• ethylene oxide
• 1,2-epoxypropane
• formaldehyde
• acrylonitrile
• toluidine

Seven chemicals were identified based on their presumed risk to the environment:

• 1,3-dichloropropene
• n-butyl acrylate
• isopropenylbenzene
• dichlorobenzene
• 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol
• [3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)propylamine]triphenylboron
• 4,4'-(propane-2,2-diyl)bis(phenol)

The Japanese government will perform the assessments in accordance with Japan's Chemical Substance Control regulation.