EPA’s Chemical Ban Targets Health Risks in Common Substances

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken decisive action to protect public health by banning two cancer-causing chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning and other industries.

At a Glance

EPA bans trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (Perc) due to cancer risks
TCE linked to liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Perc used in dry-cleaning, can cause various cancers and organ damage
Bans allow limited use in aviation and defense with strict worker protections
FDA considering ban on Red Dye No. 3 due to health concerns

EPA Takes Action Against Hazardous Chemicals

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a ban on two widely used solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (Perc), citing their cancer-causing properties. This move is part of a broader effort to eliminate dangerous substances from industrial and consumer products in favor of safer alternatives.

TCE, commonly found in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants, and glue, has been linked to liver cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and damage to the nervous and immune systems. The chemical has been detected in drinking water sources across the nation, raising significant public health concerns.

EPA bans 2 chemicals in dry-cleaning products known to cause cancer https://t.co/UA0qAkldPW

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Perc Ban and Its Implications

Perc, primarily used in dry-cleaning and automotive-care products, poses similar health risks. Exposure to this chemical can lead to liver, kidney, brain, and testicular cancer, as well as damage to various organ systems. The EPA’s ban on Perc allows for certain industrial uses, such as in aviation and defense, but only under strict worker protection regulations.

“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 Michal Freedhoff, of the E.P.A. Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

Freedhoff’s statement underscores the agency’s commitment to prioritizing public health over industrial convenience. The bans, initially proposed in 2023, are now being implemented under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which was strengthened in 2016 to give the EPA more authority in regulating harmful chemicals.

Broader Implications and Additional Regulations

The EPA’s actions align with President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to reduce cancer rates through various means, including environmental protection. The agency is also addressing past contamination issues, such as those at Camp Lejeune, where these chemicals have had devastating effects on military personnel and their families.

Jerry M. Ensminger, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant, said “The Camp Lejeune contaminated drinking water issue has dragged on over the better part of forty years ever since TCE, PCE and other organic solvents were first documented in the base’s drinking water supply in October 1980.”

In addition to the EPA’s actions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering a ban on Red Dye No. 3, a petroleum-based food dye linked to cancer in animals and hyperactivity in children. California has already taken steps to ban this and six other food dyes in school foods, demonstrating a growing trend towards stricter regulation of potentially harmful substances in consumer products.

As these new regulations take effect, the EPA plans to provide compliance guidance and host public webinars to assist affected industries in transitioning to safer alternatives. The Biden administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes funding to support small businesses in adapting to these new TSCA-compliant practices, recognizing the potential economic impact of these necessary health-protective measures.