|  | Public Health Safety | Environmental Health

EPA Requirements of Propylene Glycol

In September 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a reregistration eligibility decision sanctioning the use of propylene glycol as a component of pesticides and consumer-use products. The EPA report indicated that there were no significant health concerns associated with the use of propylene glycol and detailed requirements for reporting propylene glycol use in consumer products.

  1. Approved Uses

    • Propylene glycol has received EPA approval for use in several types of products, systems and equipment. Approved use categories include agricultural equipment, food handling equipment, commercial and industrial equipment, residential premises, medical equipment, water systems, materials preservatives, industrial processes, antifouling coatings, wood preservatives, swimming pools and aquatic areas.

    Use Specifications

    • The EPA's reregistration report (see Resources) provides an extensive appendix that indicates the formulation, application rate, and number of applications of propylene glycol that can be used for each of the approved uses that is regulated by EPA standards. The report also includes an exhaustive list of circumstances under which each use of propylene glycol application is forbidden.

    Food Requirements

    • Propylene glycol is approved for use as a safe direct food additive. Propylene glycol may compose up to 5 percent of alcoholic beverages, 24 percent of confectionary products, 2.5 percent of frozen dairy products, 97 percent of flavorings, 5 percent of nut products and 2 percent of all other food products.

    Data Reporting Requirements

    • Information about the composition of consumer products containing propylene glycol must be provided to the EPA. This information is provided using EPA forms 8570-1, 8570-4 and 8570-34 (see Resources). Form 8570-1 is an application for registration of your product with the EPA. Form 8570-4 requires you to provide a confidential statement of the formula used to compose your consumer product. Form 8570-34 must be completed to certify that you are in compliance with all applicable EPA data compensation requirements.

Environmental Health - Related Articles