Official EPA announcements and government publications

EPA Bans TCE and PCE in Consumer Products Under Biden's Environmental Push

Dec 9, 2024, 06:16 PM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a ban on two cancer-causing chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), commonly known as perc, due to their widespread use in consumer and industrial products. The final rules, issued on Monday, will phase out all uses of TCE and restrict consumer and many commercial uses of PCE, requiring worker protections for remaining uses. These solvents, found in dry cleaning solutions, spot removers, car paint, glues, furniture care, and degreasing agents, are linked to various cancers, Parkinson's disease, and stillbirths. The decision marks a significant step in President Biden's efforts to streamline environmental protections against harmful chemicals, responding to long-standing concerns and thousands of lawsuits related to exposure at places like Camp Lejeune.