General Information

The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was established to ensure that the human health and environmental effects of chemical substances are identified and properly controlled prior to placing these materials into commerce.   Although research laboratories such as those found at Yale University are exempted from many of the requirements of this act, certain provisions still apply.   The following information will help you determine which sections of this act apply to your lab's activities and provide you with the information and training you need to meet your obligations under the EPA's Toxic Substance Control Act.

Please review each of the following sections to see how your laboratory activities are impacted by TSCA and complete the TSCA applicability form (link found in the left margin) after you are familiar with these issues.  If you have any questions about how TSCA may apply to your laboratory, contact Yale's TSCA Coordinator by calling Environmental Health and Safety (785-3550) or using the email link in the left margin.

The Toxic Substance Control Act requirements may impact research laboratory operations when laboratory personnel:

• Import or hand carry certain chemicals into the United States
• Export or hand carry certain chemicals outside the United States
• Handle certain imported or newly synthesized chemical substances for which little or no environmental, health, or safety data exist
• Transfer or ship certain imported or newly synthesized chemical substances for which little or no environmental, health, or safety data exist

• Forward any allegations of significant adverse environmental or health reactions to chemicals substances handled in the laboratory and report data generated as part of your research that suggests a chemical substance may present a significant risk to human health or the environment