Final Risk Evaluation for Perchloroethylene

In June 2022, EPA released a draft revised risk determination for perchloroethylene as a whole chemical substance for public comment. This draft revision proposes to supersede the condition of use-specific no unreasonable risk determinations in the 2020 perchloroethylene risk evaluation (and withdraw the associated order). The proposed 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 draft revised risk determination is based on perchloroethylene as a whole chemical substance and does not assume that all workers exposed to perchloroethylene are protected by personal protective equipment.

Under the proposed changes, 60 out of 61 conditions of use evaluated would drive the determination that perchloroethylene presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use.

Read the federal register notice.

Read the draft revised perchloroethylene risk determination.

On this page:

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

On other pages:

Risk Evaluation Findings

In June 2022, EPA released a draft revised risk determination for perchloroethylene for public comment. The draft revised risk determination finds that perchloroethylene presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use.

In the December 2020 risk evaluation, EPA reviewed the exposures and hazards of perchloroethylene uses and made risk findings on this chemical. This risk evaluation included input from the public and peer reviewers as required by TSCA and associated regulations. EPA considered the hazards and exposure, magnitude of risk, exposed population, severity of the hazard, uncertainties, and other factors as part of its unreasonable risk determination.

EPA is proposing to determine that perchloroethylene presents unreasonable risk to human health.

EPA assessed the impact of perchloroethylene on workers, occupational non-users, consumers and bystanders. The primary health risk identified in the final risk evaluation is neurological effects from short- and long-term exposure to the chemical. After reviewing these data, EPA found that risk to workers, occupational non-users (workers nearby but not in direct contact with this chemical), consumers, and bystanders drive the whole chemical determination of unreasonable risk. Risk from 60 out of 61 conditions of use, including manufacture (including import), processing, industrial and commercial use, consumer use and disposal, of perchloroethylene, drive the whole chemical determination of unreasonable risk to human health.

Next Steps and Public Participation

The next step is for EPA to take public comment on the draft revised risk determination before releasing a final revised risk determination. EPA will then propose and take public comments on risk management actions to address the unreasonable risk identified in the risk evaluation, as updated by the final revised risk determination. EPA’s proposed regulations could include requirements on how the chemical is used, or limiting or prohibiting the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of this chemical substance, as applicable.

There will be additional opportunities for public participation. Just like the risk evaluation process, there will be opportunities for public comment as EPA works to propose and finalize risk management actions for perchloroethylene. You can stay informed by signing up for our email alerts or checking the public docket at EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0502 at www.regulations.gov.

2020 Risk Evaluation and Supporting Documents

Below are the draft revised risk determination, 2020 risk evaluation for perchloroethylene, non-technical summary, response to comments, and other supporting documents.

The discussion of the issues in the draft revision to the risk determination would supersede any conflicting statements in the 2020 perchloroethylene risk evaluation and the response to comments document.

Read the federal register notice.