WASHINGTON, June 8 (UPI) -- The identity of more than 150 chemicals examined in 104 U.S. health and safety studies that had been claimed confidential by industry have been revealed.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says for these 104 studies the chemicals' identities will no longer be redacted.
The agency is taking the action to provide the public with greater access to information on the chemicals that are manufactured and used in the United States, an EPA release said Wednesday.
The chemicals involved are used in dispersant formulations and consumer products such as air fresheners, non-stick and stain-resistant materials, fire-resistant materials, nonylphenol compounds, perfluorinated compounds and lead.
In 2010 the EPA challenged industry over claims of confidential business information, and in February notified a number of companies the agency had determined their claims were not eligible for confidential treatment under the Toxic Substances Control Act and that EPA intended to make the information public.
"This action to disclose the identity of more than 150 chemicals is an important step in EPA's commitment to give the American people access to critical information about chemicals that their children and families may be exposed to," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "A health and safety study with the chemical name kept secret is completely useless to the public."
