American Cleaning Institute criticizes Environmental Protection Agency's final risk evaluation of 1,4-dioxane; organization says assessment ignores best available science and global regulatory standards

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) expressed disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Final Supplemental Risk Evaluation for 1,4-dioxane, released November 13, saying that it does not fully reflect the best available science and is not in accordance with weight of scientific evidence standards under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of the manufacturing process for some surfactants contained in cleaning products and detergents and is not an intentionally-added ingredient. Companies continue to work diligently to adjust manufacturing processes to remove the trace amounts that have been found in these products, including to meet product content restrictions now in place in New York State.

“In 2020, the EPA determined that consumer products containing 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct do not present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment,” said Marie Gargas, ACI Senior Director, Regulatory and International Affairs.

“However, EPA policy shifted course and - despite public comment - the resulting evaluation does not provide the public with a more complete understanding of actual risk. At the same time, the agency continues to use an approach to the mode of action for carcinogenicity that remains out of step with other regulatory authorities around the globe.

“Manufacturers want to ensure that the EPA uses the best available scientific data when determining and evaluating risk and proposing management rules on chemistries that underpin significant portions of the U.S. economy.”

Gargas added that ACI appreciates EPA’s stated intent to continue collaborating with stakeholders, including in the surfactant manufacturing sector.

“ACI continues to work to gather and provide data to EPA to help reduce data gaps and uncertainties and will continue our advocacy to ensure that risk management decisions are appropriately targeted and made using current information.

“We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the dish soaps, dishwasher and laundry detergents and surface cleaners that households, workplaces and institutional settings use every day are safe, affordable, high-performing and backed by the sound science Americans expect and deserve. It is imperative that consumers and industrial customers continue to have access to these products that are used safely and effectively millions of times every single day.”