[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 20 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 4606-4607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2018]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPTS-44653; FRL-6489-3]


TSCA Chemical Testing; Receipt of Test Data

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  This notice announces EPA's receipt of test data on N-
methylpyrrolidone (NMP) (CAS No. 872-50-4). These data were submitted 
pursuant to an enforceable testing consent agreement/order issued by 
EPA under section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  For general information contact: 
Joseph S. Carra, Deputy Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics (7401), Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460 telephone numbers: (202) 554-1404 and 
TDD:

[[Page 4607]]

(202) 554-0551; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: Robert Jones, Chemical Control 
Division (7405), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of 
Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20460; telephone number: (202) 260-8130; fax number: (202) 401-3672; e-
mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

I. General Information

A. Does This Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, 
however, be of interest to those persons who are concerned about data 
on health and/or environmental effects and other characteristics of 
this chemical. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency 
has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be 
affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the 
technical person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of This 
Document or Other Related Documents?

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document, and certain other related documents that might be available 
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. 
To access this document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and 
Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document under 
``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly 
to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket control number OPPTS-44653. The official 
record consists of the documents specifically referenced in this 
action, any public comments received during an appplicable comment 
period, and other information related to this action, including any 
information claimed as confidential business information (CBI). This 
official record includes the documents that are physically located in 
the docket, as well as the documents that are referenced in those 
documents. The public version of the official record does not include 
any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official 
record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic 
comments submitted during an applicable comment period, is available 
for inspection in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, North 
East Mall Rm. B-607, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. 
The Center is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Center is (202) 
260-7099.

II. Test Data Submissions

    Under 40 CFR 790.60, all TSCA section 4 enforceable consent 
agreements/orders must contain a statement that results of testing 
conducted pursuant to enforceable consent agreements/orders will be 
announced to the public in accordance with section 4(d) of TSCA.
    Test data for N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) were submitted by the NMP 
Producers Group on behalf of the member companies: Lyondell Chemical 
Company (formerly ARCO Chemical Company), BASF Corporation, and ISP 
Management Company, Inc. These data were submitted pursuant to a TSCA 
section 4 enforceable consent agreement/order and were received by EPA 
on November 23, 1999. The submission includes a final report entitled 
``N-Methylpyrrolidone - Carcinogenicity study in B6C3F1 mice; 
Administration in the diet for 18 months.'' NMP is an inert, stable, 
polar solvent that is used in a wide variety of processes. Its 
commercial uses result from its strong and frequently selective solvent 
power. One of the major uses of NMP is the extraction of aromatics from 
lubricating oils. It is also used as a medium for polymerization and as 
a solvent for finished polymers. It is the preferred solvent in a 
variety of chemical reactions and the manufacture of numerous chemical 
intermediates and products such as plastics, surface coatings, and 
pesticides. An important use of this chemical is as a substitute for 
methylene chloride in paint strippers. NMP is also used in the recovery 
and purification of acetylenes, olefins, and diolefins, in the removal 
of sulfur compounds from natural and refinery gasses, and in the 
dehydration of natural gas.
    EPA has initiated its review and evaluation process for this 
submission. At this time, the Agency is unable to provide any 
determination as to the completeness of the submission.

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 2603.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Hazardous substances, Toxic substances.

    Dated: January 19, 2000.
Charles M. Auer,
Director, Chemical Control Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics.
[FR Doc. 00-2018 Filed 1-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F