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EPA Bans Cancer-Causing VOCs TCE and PCE, Linked to Camp Lejeune, in Dry Cleaning

Dec 9, 2024, 07:58 PM

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ban on all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) and all consumer and many commercial uses of perchloroethylene (PCE), known as 'Perc' and 'TCE'. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are commonly found in dry cleaning solutions, spot removers, cleaners, degreasers, lubricants, glues, auto paint, and furniture care products. The ban will phase out the chemicals, requiring worker protections for remaining PCE uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). TCE and PCE, linked to exposure at Camp Lejeune and known to cause leukemia in Woburn, MA, have been associated with multiple types of cancer, including kidney cancer, as well as other serious diseases such as Parkinson's disease and stillbirths. The EPA's decision comes 45 years after these substances were known to be harmful and underscores President Biden’s efforts to enhance environmental protections against toxic chemicals, marking a significant victory for public health advocates seeking to protect workers, consumers, and communities from toxic exposure.