Novel EPA Toxicity Value For DNT Likely To Drive Munitions Cleanups

摘要

EPA has issued a first-time toxicity value for technical grade dinitrotoluene (DNT) that covers all six forms of the chemical used in explosives and polyurethanes, a move environmentalists have been seeking for years and which is expected to provide regulators leverage to require testing and cleanup at military sites around the country. EPA has had risk values for DNT's two most common forms for several years, including an Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) value for 2,4-DNT and a provisional peer-reviewed toxicity value (PPRTV) for 2,6-DNT. But environmentalists have said without a value for the four less common isomers, the Army has likely underestimated risk at munitions sites including disposal sites, and possibly shooting or bombing ranges.