USA - Proposed to Prohibit the Use of Trichloroethylene

​The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to address the unreasonable risk of injury to human health presented by trichloroethylene (TCE) under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA).

EPA determined that TCE presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health due to the significant adverse health effects associated with exposure to TCE, including non-cancer effects (liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and developmental toxicity) as well as cancer (liver, kidney, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) from chronic inhalation and dermal exposures to TCE. It is also neurotoxicant and is carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure.

EPA is proposing to
- prohibit all manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE​ and industrial and commerce use of TCE for all uses
- prohibit the disposal of TCE to industrial pre-treatment, industrial treatment, or publicly owned treatment works and
- establish recordkeeping and downstream notification requirements

TCE is widely used as a solvent in a variety of industrial, commercial and consumer applications including for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production, vapor and aerosol degreasing, and in lubricants, greases, adhesives, and sealants.

Public consultation is open until December 15, 2023.