WASHINGTON – Today the Environmental Working Group applauded the Environmental Protection Agency for proposing a ban on most uses of trichloroethylene, or TCE.
TCE is a volatile organic compound used mostly in industrial and commercial processes, for instance, as a solvent in industrial cleaning and degreasing. More than 80 percent of TCE is used to manufacture refrigerants.
Exposure to TCE is linked to cancer, as well as developmental and reproductive harms. Although people who work with solvents are especially susceptible to TCE exposure and associated harms, members of the public are often exposed to TCE through contact with contaminated sites.
“The Biden EPA is once again putting the health of workers and consumers first,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs. “EWG applauds this move to ban most uses of TCE.”
TCE contamination affects community water systems serving at least 19 million people across the U.S., EWG has found.
“People whose water contains TCE can be exposed not just by drinking it but also by inhaling it while bathing, washing dishes and doing other household activities,” said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president of Science Investigations at EWG. “Communities across the country have water with potentially harmful levels of this toxic solvent, but many people don’t know about the risk they face when they turn on the tap.”
“Concerned families can remove or reduce TCE from their tap water with an inexpensive carbon-based filter. For households that use private wells, we recommend testing the water for TCE and other contaminants to find out whether water treatment is necessary,” she added.
The Biden EPA has taken steps to limit exposures to asbestos and methylene chloride and is expected soon to address other toxic chemicals, including 1-4 dioxane.
The EPA is banning or restricting toxic chemicals like TCE, despite severe funding limits.
“While some House Republicans sow chaos, the Biden EPA delivers results,” Faber said.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
