US EPA Sets Stage for Gradual Prohibition of TCE and PCE

The US has drafted new risk management policies for Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to eradicate all TCE uses within a year, including its production and processing in most commercial and all consumer products, to safeguard potential TCE-exposed individuals. Concurrently, a ten-year phased PCE elimination in the dry cleaning industry is planned to minimize risks for workers or frequent visitors of such facilities. 

TCE

The TCE regulations will be introduced in stages. In the first year, TCE production and processing in most commercial and all consumer products will stop, protecting potential TCE-exposed individuals, including consumers and workers across various sectors. For some workplace uses, elimination will be more gradual, but strict protective measures must be in place.

These measures include setting a TCE inhalation limit in the air. EPA estimates this new limit will reduce long-term workplace exposure by 97%. These workplaces mainly involve TCE use for cleaning parts in aircraft and medical devices, manufacturing battery separators, producing refrigerants, and other applications in transportation, safety, and defense systems.

For TCE use in refrigerants, the EPA provides a longer transition period to support climate change efforts, aligning with the phased elimination of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act.

Moreover, to assist in cleaning TCE-contaminated sites, EPA allows laboratories to continue using TCE for up to 50 years, provided worker protection measures are in place and TCE wastewater is properly managed.

PCE

1. PCE prohibition in newly purchased dry cleaning machines within six months

The regulations state that, starting six months from now, PCE use in newly purchased dry cleaning machines will be prohibited. This is the first restriction on PCE use and a significant step in public health protection.

2. Provisions for existing dry cleaning machines

For existing machines, compliance deadlines will vary based on the type. Older models will be phased out before newer ones, providing operators with sufficient time to upgrade their equipment.

3. Major reduction in PCE applications within three years

EPA studies have found that for most soon-to-be-banned PCE applications, there are cost-efficient alternatives. Consequently, EPA mandates relevant businesses to significantly reduce PCE production, processing, and distribution within three years.

4. Control measures for ongoing PCE use

Under strict yet feasible control measures, some specific sites can continue using PCE. These sites are usually technologically complex and vital to national security, aviation, and other crucial infrastructure, including:

1. Use in the production of other chemicals, potentially aiding in the production of refrigerant chemicals as part of the AIM Act.
2. Use in petrochemical manufacturing.
3. Use in agricultural chemicals production (originally proposed for banning).
4. Use for cold cleaning oil tankers (originally proposed for banning).
5. Use as a shield in chemical milling.
6. Use as a steam degreasing solvent.
7. Use in adhesives and sealants.
8. Use in electrified electrical cleaning (originally proposed for banning).
9. Processing into formulations, mixtures, or reaction products.
10. Importing, recycling, processing, repackaging, and domestic production of PCE.

5. Other

In response to public feedback, EPA has extended the Workplace Chemical Protection Program implementation timeline from 12 to 30 months, bolstered monitoring requirements, and ensured worker representatives can access occupational exposure records.

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Further Information

EPA