Toxic Substances Control Act Chemicals

Summary

How to review Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirements before working with chemicals in buildings, labs, and operations.

Who is this for?

All students, faculty, and staff who manage or work with chemicals.

Toxic Substances Control Act requirements

Everyone at Harvard who works with chemicals, including building, lab, and maintenance staff, must consider if TSCA regulations apply to their work.

The TSCA authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate and screen all chemicals produced or imported into the United States.

Buildings and labs must follow TSCA requirements for applicable chemicals, including:

  • Imported or newly manufactured chemicals.
  • Prohibited chemicals.
  • Specific chemicals, including some chemicals that may be in hazardous household products like paint strippers, varnishes, and spray adhesives.

You must also follow TSCA requirements for how to use certain chemicals, including carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane (DCM or methylene chloride), perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene.

Related resources

Find documents and online tools to manage TSCA chemicals.

EHS support

Contact EHS for more information about TSCA chemicals, including:

  • TSCA fact-finding survey form.
  • TSCA self-assessment form.

Support for Harvard EHS

Contact EHS

If you have questions or concerns about environmental health and safety at Harvard, please contact us.

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