Register for the January 14 Webinar on Perchloroethylene

For Release: January 4, 2021

On January 14, 2021, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, EPA will host 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 perchloroethylene (PCE). The webinar also provides an opportunity for the public to provide input on considerations the agency should take into account for managing these unreasonable risks.

Register for the webinar. If you would like to provide oral comments during the webinar, you must register by January 12, 2021 at 5 PM. Select “attend and make a comment” when registering. You may register as a listen-only attendee at any time up to the end of the meeting. For listen-only attendees, select “listen-only” when registering. Information on how to connect to the webinar will be provided upon registration.

Details on how to access the webinar and slides will be sent to participants after registering via Eventbrite.com. Please ensure that emails from Eventbrite.com will not be blocked by your spam filter. EPA will provide a transcript and recording on EPA’s PCE webpage following the webinar.

Additionally, EPA will begin formal consultations with state and local governments, tribes, environmental justice communities, and small businesses. There will also be an open public comment period on any draft risk management regulation.

Learn more about risk management for PCE.

Background

TSCA is our nation’s primary chemical management law. This law requires EPA to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to existing chemicals using the best available science then take action to reduce or eliminate any unreasonable risks identified. The agency issued a final risk evaluation for PCE in December showing unreasonable risks to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders under certain conditions of use. EPA is now moving to risk management for this chemical, the next step in the process required by TSCA.

There are several actions EPA can take under TSCA to address unreasonable risks including banning a chemical; restricting the manufacturing, processing, distribution, use, or disposal; requiring warning labels/testing; and requiring manufacturers to notify distributors of any unreasonable risks. EPA has up to one year after issuing a final risk evaluation to propose risk management actions followed by a public comment period and final rule.