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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a decisive move to safeguard public health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized regulations that ban or significantly restrict the use of two widely used chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). These substances, commonly employed in dry cleaning, stain removal, and various industrial applications, are linked to serious health risks, including cancer and organ damage. According to a report on the KRTV.com website, this ban is a pivotal step under the bipartisan 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The EPA’s new risk management rules represent a phased approach to eliminating these toxic chemicals:
The EPA has mandated a complete ban on all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE within one year. Known as an “extremely toxic chemical,” TCE has been linked to liver cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and a range of other severe health conditions, as was detailed in the KRTV.com report. It also poses risks to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, and reproductive health, including causing fetal heart defects.
Commonly used in dry cleaning and various industrial applications, perchloroethylene (PCE), will face a phased ban. Its use in dry cleaning will be prohibited in newly acquired equipment within six months, and its complete phase-out will occur over the next ten years, as per the information provided in the KRTV.com website. However, certain industries will retain limited access to PCE under strict controls, such as for laboratory asphalt testing, refrigerant manufacturing, and vapor degreasing.
Both TCE and PCE are nonflammable chlorinated solvents classified as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Historically, they have been used interchangeably in numerous applications, but the EPA’s findings highlight their severe health risks and environmental impact.
The EPA’s decision stems from extensive research underscoring the toxicity of TCE and PCE. As KRTV.com reported, even at minimal exposure levels, TCE has been shown to cause various cancers and significant organ damage. Its central role in products like cleaning agents, degreasers, brake cleaners, and adhesives underscores the urgency of the ban.
Long-term exposure to PCE is linked to liver, kidney, brain, and testicular cancers. It also causes neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and immune system damage. The KRTV.com website indicated that despite its widespread use in dry cleaning and industrial processes, its health implications have made its phase-out imperative.
The EPA’s regulations mark a significant turning point for the dry cleaning industry. Historically reliant on PCE for stain removal, dry cleaners will now need to transition to alternative, safer cleaning agents. According to the information contained in the KRTV.com report, new dry-cleaning equipment using PCE will be prohibited within six months, prompting businesses to adopt greener technologies. The decade-long phase-out allows time for industry adaptation while ensuring the eventual elimination of PCE from most dry-cleaning processes.
The bans on TCE and PCE will also impact numerous industrial settings where these chemicals are integral. The report at KRTV.com indicated that while certain exceptions allow limited use under stringent controls, industries relying on these chemicals must now explore alternative solutions. For instance, TCE’s role in products such as brake cleaners, degreasers, and sealants will necessitate replacements within a year. PCE will remain permissible in specialized applications such as asphalt testing and refrigerant production, provided users adhere to strict EPA guidelines.
By eliminating these hazardous substances, the EPA seeks to mitigate the long-term health risks posed to workers and the general population. The agency’s move aligns with growing demands for stricter chemical safety standards and reinforces its commitment to reducing environmental pollution.
The EPA’s actions also address disparities in chemical exposure risks. Workers in industries such as dry cleaning and furniture cleaning are disproportionately affected by these toxic solvents, often with limited access to protective measures, the KRTV.com report said. The phase-out of PCE and TCE will reduce occupational exposure and improve workplace safety.
The EPA’s regulations signal a broader push toward safer, more sustainable practices across industries. By eliminating highly toxic chemicals, businesses are encouraged to innovate and adopt eco-friendly alternatives. This transition not only enhances public health but also aligns with global efforts to reduce chemical pollution and foster environmental sustainability.
As outlined in the KRTV.com report, the new rules will roll out in phases, with immediate actions on newly acquired equipment and complete bans on specific uses within defined timelines. The EPA’s proactive approach provides industries with a structured pathway to compliance while prioritizing health and environmental safety.
The impact of these chemicals extends beyond occupational exposure. Between 1975 and 1985, service members stationed at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, were exposed to contaminated drinking water tainted with TCE and PCE, as was explained in the KRTV.com website. This contamination has been linked to numerous cases of cancer and other illnesses among those stationed at the base and their families.
One of the many voices advocating for change is retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant Jerry M. Ensminger. In a statement shared by KRTV.com, Ensminger recounted the personal toll of the contamination: “My daughter, Janey, was conceived aboard Camp Lejeune during the drinking water contamination and died of leukemia in 1985, at the age of nine. I first began my fight for justice in 1997 and was later joined by Mike Partain in 2007, who was also conceived aboard the base and diagnosed with male breast cancer at the age of 39. Mike and I welcome this ban on TCE by the EPA, and this is proof that our fight for justice at Camp Lejeune was not in vain.”
The fight to ban TCE and PCE has been a long and arduous journey, driven by personal tragedy and relentless advocacy. According to the information in the KRTV.com report, Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) has been a steadfast supporter of efforts to eliminate these chemicals. Markey was first approached about the issue over 40 years ago by a grieving mother in his district who lost her son to cancer caused by these substances.
Markey’s statement following the EPA’s announcement underscores the life-saving significance of the ban: “With no doubt that these chemicals are deadly, there is no doubt that this final rule will save lives—especially our children’s lives—around the country.”
The EPA has emphasized that safer alternatives to both TCE and PCE are already widely available, making the transition away from these harmful chemicals feasible for industries. According to the report at KRTV.com, the agency’s decision reflects a growing recognition that the continued use of these substances is not only unnecessary but also indefensible in the face of overwhelming evidence of their toxicity.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) will be completely banned from all uses within one year.
Perchloroethylene (PCE) will be phased out of most applications over the next decade, with its use in newly acquired dry-cleaning equipment prohibited within six months.
The ban on TCE and PCE is expected to have profound public health benefits. By eliminating these toxic chemicals from widespread use, the objective of the EPA is to reduce the incidence of cancers and other illnesses linked to their exposure. This decision also addresses longstanding environmental contamination, particularly in communities like Camp Lejeune, where the effects of these chemicals have been most acutely felt.
As the KRTV.com highlighted, the EPA’s decision is not just a regulatory milestone—it is a symbol of justice for those who have suffered due to the unchecked use of these chemicals. It also serves as a reminder of the critical role of citizen advocacy and legislative action in holding industries accountable and protecting public health.
