Final Risk Evaluation for Trichloroethylene

In January 2023, EPA released a final revised risk determination for trichloroethylene (TCE) as a whole chemical substance. This revision superseded the condition of use-specific risk determinations in the 2020 TCE risk evaluation (and withdrew the associated order under TSCA section 6(i)(1)). These chemical-specific changes are in accordance with the path forward for the first 10 risk evaluations under TSCA laid out by EPA in June 2021.

The final revised risk determination does not assume that all workers exposed to TCE are always provided or appropriately wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The consideration of this information was part of the risk management process.

EPA determined that 52 out of 54 conditions of use evaluated contribute to the determination that TCE presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use.

Read the Federal Register notice.

Read the final revised TCE risk determination.

Read the Response to Public Comments to the draft revised Unreasonable Risk Determination for TCE.

On this page:

Risk evaluation findings
Next steps and public participation
2020 risk evaluation and supporting documents

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Risk Evaluation Findings

In January 2023, EPA released a final revised risk determination for TCE. The final revised risk determination finds that TCE presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use.

In the November 2020 final TCE risk evaluation, EPA reviewed the exposures and hazards of TCE uses and made risk findings on this chemical substance. This risk evaluation included input from the public and peer reviewers as required by TSCA and associated regulations. EPA considered relevant risk-related factors, including, but not limited to: the hazards and exposure, magnitude of risk, exposed population, severity of the hazard, and uncertainties, as part of its unreasonable risk determination.

EPA determined that TCE, as a whole chemical substance, presents unreasonable risk to human health.

EPA assessed the impact of TCE on workers, occupational non-users (workers, nearby but not in direct contact with this chemical), consumers, and bystanders. EPA identified health risks, including developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and cancer from inhalation or dermal exposures to TCE. Risk from 52 out of 54 conditions of use (including manufacturing, import, processing, industrial and commercial uses, consumer uses, and disposal) contribute to the whole chemical determination of unreasonable risk of injury to health. Two out of 54 conditions of use do not contribute to the unreasonable risk: consumer use of TCE in pepper spray and distribution in commerce.

The revised risk determination for TCE does not reflect an assumption that workers always and appropriately wear PPE, even though some facilities might be using PPE as one means to reduce worker exposure, or that there is widespread non-compliance with applicable federal standards. EPA understands there could be occupational safety protections in place at some workplace locations; however, not assuming use of PPE in its baseline exposure scenarios reflects EPA’s recognition that certain subpopulations of workers exist that may be highly exposed because they are not covered by OSHA standards, because their employers are out of compliance with OSHA standards, because OSHA’s chemical-specific Permissible Exposure Limits (largely adopted in the 1970’s) are described by OSHA as being “outdated and inadequate for ensuring protection of worker health,” or because the OSHA PEL alone may be inadequate for ensuring protection of worker health, as is the case for TCE. The consideration of information on use of PPE, engineering controls, and other ways industry protects its workers, as potential ways to address unreasonable risk was part of the risk management rule development process.

Next Steps and Public Participation

In December 2024, EPA finalized a risk management rule to address unreasonable risks posed by TCE to human health. Learn more.

You can stay informed by signing up for our email alerts or checking the public dockets at EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0500 and EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0642 at www.regulations.gov.

2020 Risk Evaluation and Supporting Documents

Below are the final revised risk determination, 2020 risk evaluation for TCE, non-technical summary, response to comments, and other supporting documents. Find additional documents supporting the final risk evaluation including risk calculators and the PBPK model.

The discussion of the issues in the final revision to the risk determination supersedes any conflicting statements in the 2020 TCE risk evaluation and the response to comments document.

Read the Federal Register notice.

Final Risk Evaluation for Trichloroethylene

Risk Evaluation Findings

Next Steps and Public Participation

2020 Risk Evaluation and Supporting Documents

Assessing and Managing Chemicals under TSCA