In an
unusual exercise
of its authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on December 30 the establishment
of a «
chemicals of concern» list and action plans that could prompt restrictions on four
types of synthetic
chemicals used widely in manufacturing and consumer products, including phthalates used to make flexible plastics, often for toys, household products and medical equipment.
Last April astronomical detectives announced a break: An orbiting X-ray observatory picked up the
chemical fingerprints
of several elements in a burst's afterglow, identifying the object as an
unusual type of supernova — the detonation
of a massive, dying star.