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.

On this page:

• Managing risks found in the 2020 final risk evaluation
• Opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement

On other pages:

• 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 Found in the 2020 Final Risk Evaluation

EPA completed the final risk evaluation for TCE under amended TSCA in November 2020. The final risk evaluation for TCE determined that there are unreasonable risks to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders for 52 out of 54 conditions of use. EPA found no unreasonable risks to the environment. 

The next step in the process required by TSCA is addressing these risks. There are several actions EPA could take to address these risks, including regulations to prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, distribution in the marketplace, use, or disposal of this chemical substance, as applicable. EPA is now in the process of developing ways to address the unreasonable risks identified and has up to one year to propose and take public comments on any risk management actions.

• 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

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 will extend through August 20, 2021. View materials from the consultation sessions.

There will be additional opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement as EPA works through the risk management process for this chemical. Just like the risk evaluation process, there will also be opportunities for public comment as EPA works to propose and finalize risk management actions for the conditions of use of TCE that EPA has determined present an unreasonable risk.

• 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

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.

The deadline for self-nominations for the Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel on risk management for TCE was December 14, 2020. Learn more about the potential SBAR panel.