EPA Proposes Worker Protections Against Inhalation Risks from Pigment Chemical

The EPA has proposed a rule requiring workplace protections to prevent lung damage from exposure to C.I. Pigment Violet 29 in its dry powder form.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Dec 27, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule to mitigate the risks associated with exposure to C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (PV29), a chemical known to cause lung damage when inhaled in its dry powder form. 

According to a recent release, this marks the agency’s eighth rule under the revised Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) framework. PV29 is used in automotive paints, industrial coatings, commercial printing inks and the production of plastics, rubber products, and certain pigments. The EPA’s 2021 risk evaluation identified PV29 in its dry powder form as an "unreasonable risk" to workers’ health, citing its potential to impair lung function.

The proposed rule outlines several safety measures aimed at reducing workplace exposure to PV29 in its powder form. These measures include mandatory respiratory protection and the implementation of cleaning protocols for equipment and workspaces where the chemical is handled.

“We can keep people safe from exposure to this toxic chemical with commonsense workplace safety measures,” Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff said in a statement.

While PV29 incorporated into paints, coatings or other materials no longer poses the same risks as its dry powder form, the EPA has identified specific uses where additional safeguards are necessary. These include its role in manufacturing paints and coatings, creating other pigments, and its industrial applications in plastics and rubber products.

The EPA is inviting public comments on the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed requirements, particularly from those directly impacted by the rule. Stakeholders have 45 days to submit feedback following the rule’s publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0277.