EPA Bans 2 Cancer-Causing Dry Cleaning Chemicals In Texas

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report finalizing its latest rules for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PEC), chemicals used in professional dry cleaning and consumer products like brake cleaner.

This final EPA rule will ban all of the ways we use TCE and all consumer (and some commercial) use of PCE. Any remaining uses will require workers to handle the chemicals with protection.

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According to CNN, TCE is one of the most used solvents since the 1920s. Known as "dry cleaning fluid", it is used for cleaning and degreasing metal.

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Since these chemicals have been in use for over 100 years they could end up in the Texas water supply. TCE is known to cause liver and kidney cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It has also been linked to fetal heart defects.

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PCE is known to cause liver, kidney, brain, and testicular cancer among other risk factors. Both of these chemicals are finding their way into drinking water in the U.S.

EPA tests found TCE in between 4.5% and 18% of the drinking water sources they test yearly around the nation. This new ban will stop the flow of TCE within one year.

Safer Alternatives To These Chemicals Exist

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Scientists have known for years that these chemicals were an issue.

“It’s simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “These rules are grounded in the best-available science that demonstrates the harmful impacts of PCE and TCE. EPA continues to deliver on actions that protect people, including workers and children, under the nation’s premier bipartisan chemical safety law.”

This ban will finalize a 10-year plan to eliminate these solvents in dry cleaning.