In an article published on November 17, 2017, Tom Neltner, chemicals policy director at the non-governmental organization Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Maricel Maffini, independent consultant, reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to improve the label requirements for hypochlorite bleach to reduce its degradation to perchlorate. The labeling changes are aimed at hypochlorite bleach used to disinfect drinking water. EPA published the proposal on September 22, 2017 in the U.S. Federal Register and comments can be submitted until November 21, 2017. EDF supports EPA’s proposal and suggests “to extend the labeling changes to hypochlorite bleach used to treat produce and to disinfect food handling equipment,” because “bleach appears to be one of several significant sources of perchlorate contamination of food.”

Further, in an article published on November 20, 2017, Neltner and Maffini informed about a draft report by EPA concluding that exposure to perchlorate of pregnant women can negatively affect fetal brain development. After peer-review of the findings in January 2018, EPA “will develop a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) and, eventually, a drinking water standard for perchlorate,” Neltner and Maffini explained. These activities “are also expected to inform EPA’s standards for hypochlorite bleach to limit degradation to perchlorate and FDA’s assessment of its decision to allow perchlorate to be added to plastic packaging and food handling equipment at concentrations as high as 1.2%” (FPF reported), they further noted.

Read more

Tom Neltner and Maricel Maffini (November 17, 2017). “EPA proposes limits on hypochlorite bleach to reduce degradation to perchlorate.EDF Health

Tom Neltner and Maricel Maffini (November 20, 2017). “EPA’s latest analysis shows perchlorate risks to fetal brain development.EDF Health

Tom Neltner (November 20, 2017). “EPA: Perchlorate in drinking water can harm fetal brain development.EcoWatch

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