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Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was enacted in 1976 to regulate commerce and protect human health and the environment by requiring testing of and establishing use restrictions on certain potentially hazardous chemicals. Unlike many environmental statutes that focus only on waste management, TSCA grants EPA authority to regulate the entire life cycle of a chemical, from manufacture to disposal.

TSCA contains four titles: Title I - Control of Toxic Substances; Title II - Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response; Title III - Indoor Radon Abatement; and Title IV - Lead Exposure Reduction. Under Title I, EPA banned the manufacture (production and importation) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and promulgated rules on PCB disposal and marking.  Additional rules were developed on inspections, storage, and use of transformers.  MSU's current TSCA program includes the proper compliance and management of PCB Transformers, sampling, and documentation.