EPA names perc for review under TSCA legislation

15 December 2016


USA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this month that tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene (perc), is among the first ten chemicals it will evaluate for potential risks to human health and the environment under the revised Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In addition, EPA is proposing to ban certain uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) due to health risks when used as a degreaser and a spot removal agent in drycleaning.

TCE is as used as a solvent, a refrigerant and in drycleaning fluid.

“For the first time in a generation, we are able to restrict chemicals already in commerce that pose risks to public health and the environment,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Today's action will help protect consumers and workers from cancer and other serious health risks when they are exposed to aerosol degreasing, and when drycleaners use spotting agents.  I am confident that the new authority Congress has given us is exactly what we need to finally address these important issues.”

The chemicals were drawn from EPA's 2014 TSCA Work Plan, a list of 90 chemicals selected based on their potential for high hazard and exposure as well as other considerations.

When the list is published in the Federal Register, it will trigger a statutory deadline to complete risk evaluations for these chemicals within three years.  This evaluation will determine whether the chemicals present an unreasonable risk to humans and the environment. If it is determined that a chemical presents an unreasonable risk, EPA must mitigate that risk within two years.

 



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