Final EPA TSCA Rules Ban Uses of TCE and PCE

On December 9, EPA finalized risk management rules for trichloroethylene TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments. These final rules ban all uses of TCE, ban all consumer uses and many commercial uses of PCE, and require worker protections for all remaining uses under TSCA. The rules will also help prevent further contamination of drinking water sources from uses of TCE and PCE (also known as tetrachloroethylene). TCE and PCE both have drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 5 parts per billion (ppb) and are known to cause cancer and other human health effects.

EPA is finalizing its prohibition on all uses of TCE, which will mostly take effect within one year. TCE is used as a solvent in consumer and commercial products such as cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, sealants, lubricants, adhesives, paints and coatings, and some refrigerants. Safer alternatives are readily available for the majority of uses. Learn more about the TCE rule here.

EPA is finalizing a 10-year phaseout for the use of PCE in dry cleaning to eliminate the risk to people who work or spend considerable time at dry cleaning facilities. Many dry cleaners have already begun this transition. EPA’s analysis found that alternative products with similar costs and efficacy are reasonably available for most PCE uses that EPA is prohibiting,. Learn more about the PCE rule here.