Lead Fishing Sinkers; Disposition of TSCA Section 21 Petition

On August 3, 2010, several groups filed a petition under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 21 requesting that EPA prohibit under TSCA section 6(a) the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of (1) lead bullets and shot; and (2) lead fishing sinkers. On August 27, 2010, EPA denied the first request due to a lack of authority to regulate lead in bullets and shot under TSCA. EPA's decision was based on the exclusion of shells and cartridges from the definition of "chemical substance" in TSCA section 3(2)(B)(v). On November 4, 2010, EPA denied the second request. This notice explains EPA's reasons for the denial of the request specific to fishing sinkers.