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POLLUTION PREVENTION
Chemical product developers can now screen materials for environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) with a new Web-based tool from EPA. Called PBT Profiler, the online tool is intended to help companies when they lack experimental data on chemicals, according to EPA. The profiler flags compounds that may need further evaluation as to whether they exhibit PBT characteristics. The agency hopes the tool will discourage the use of chemicals that have these characteristics and promote the use of safer alternatives. Users enter Chemical Abstract Service Registry Numbers, Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System notations, or chemical structure diagrams for the materials they wish to screen. There is no cost for using the profiler. EPA developed the tool jointly with the American Chemistry Council, the Chlorine Chemistry Council, and the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. Environmental Defense also contributed to the effort. A joint statement from ACC, SOCMA, and the Chlorine Chemistry Council notes that the profiler has limitations, which EPA spells out on the tool's website. "Data from a well-conducted study should always take precedence over estimated values generated by the PBT Profiler," the trade associations say. And they caution that the predictions the tool produces "are not sufficient to definitively label a material a PBT chemical." However, the groups say, the profiler will be useful for companies. The PBT Profiler and information on the tool are available at http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pbtprofiler. |
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