US environmental regulators tighten rules on two toxic chemicals after initially loosening them

US environmental regulators are tightening rules for two toxic chemicals, decaBDE and PIP (3:1), after receiving public comments on their initial regulations. This means companies using these chemicals will face stricter limits on their use and disposal to reduce human and environmental exposure.

In 2021, US environmental regulators issued rules for five persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals. These rules included some exemptions that allowed continued use of decaBDE and PIP (3:1) in certain products. This revision closes some of those loopholes, making it harder for these chemicals to enter the environment. It shows that public pressure can force regulators to revisit and strengthen rules, even after they have been finalized.