Risk Management for Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Below is information on EPA actions to manage risks from trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a volatile organic compound used mostly in industrial and commercial processes. Consumer uses include cleaning and furniture care products, arts and crafts spray coatings, and automotive care products like brake cleaners, and other consumer products.
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- Learn how EPA manages unreasonable risks from chemicals currently on the market.
- View a list of all chemicals undergoing risk evaluation, including docket numbers and agency points of contact.
Managing Risks from TCE
In July 2022, EPA released for public comment a draft revised risk determination for TCE which, when final, would amend the 2020 TSCA risk evaluation for TCE. The draft revisions to the risk determination were made 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 TCE as a whole chemical substance and does not assume that workers exposed to TCE are always provided or appropriately wear by personal protective equipment.
In November 2020, EPA released the risk evaluation for TCE under amended TSCA. The risk evaluation for TCE found unreasonable risks to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders for 52 out of 54 conditions of use. Two out of 54 conditions of use do not drive the unreasonable risk: consumer use of TCE in pepper spray and distribution in commerce.
The next step in the process is for EPA to take public comment on the draft revised risk determination before releasing a final revised risk determination. The agency will then propose regulations to address the unreasonable risk TCE presents to health. There are several actions EPA could take to address the unreasonable risks, including regulations prohibiting or limiting the manufacture (including import), processing, distribution in the marketplace, commercial use, or disposal of this chemical substance, as applicable. EPA is now in the process of developing ways to address the unreasonable risks.
- Learn more about the unreasonable risks found in the final risk evaluation.
- Find information on ways to reduce exposure to this chemical as EPA works through the process required by TSCA to eliminate unreasonable risks from this chemical.
Opportunities for Public and Stakeholder Engagement
There will be additional opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement – including a public comment period – as EPA works through the risk management process for this chemical.
- View a list of all public and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to risk management.
- You can reach out to the EPA point of contact for this chemical, listed at the top, right of this page, for more information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
- You can also stay informed by signing for our email alerts or checking public docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0642 at www.regulations.gov.
Past Meetings, Webinars, and Other Engagement Opportunities
EPA held environmental justice consultations regarding the development of risk management actions for TCE on June 16, 2021 and July 6, 2021. These consultation sessions provided an overview of the TSCA risk management requirements, the findings from the final risk evaluations, the tools available to manage the unreasonable risks from TCE, and an opportunity for input on environmental justice concerns. The environmental justice consultation period ended August 20, 2021. View materials from the consultation sessions.
On December 15, 2020, EPA held a webinar to educate stakeholders on the risk management process under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the findings in the final risk evaluation for TCE. View the materials for the webinar.