EPA proposes to remove saccharin from hazardous waste listings

The EPA announced on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, that is proposing a rule to remove saccharin and its salts from the agency's lists of hazardous wastes, hazardous constituents and hazardous substances because it is no longer considered a potential hazard to human health.

Since the 1980s, saccharin was included in the agency's lists of hazardous wastes, hazardous constituents, and hazardous substances because it was identified as potentially causing cancer in people. In the late 1990s, the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer re-evaluated the available scientific information on saccharin and its salts and concluded that saccharin and its salts are not potential human carcinogens. Because the scientific basis for remaining on the EPA's lists no longer applies, the agency is issuing a proposed rule to remove saccharin and its salts from the list.

The public comment period will be open through mid-June.

Click here for more information about the proposal.