Trichloroethylene poses health risks

Abstract

Dozens of uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) pose unreasonable health risks to workers and consumers, the US Environmental Protection Agency concludes in a final assessment released Nov. 23. The assessment comes nearly 4 years after the EPA proposed, but never finalized, a ban on TCE in aerosol degreasers and dry-cleaning agents. TCE is carcinogenic and associated with adverse neurological, developmental, and immunological effects. The EPA evaluated 54 uses of the chemical, including manufacturing, processing, and several commercial and consumer uses. The chemical is used primarily as an intermediate to manufacture refrigerants and as a degreasing solvent, according to the EPA. It is also found in adhesives and sealants, greases, paints, and cleaning products. The EPA found unreasonable health risks for all but 2 of the 54 uses of TCE that it evaluated. The 2 uses that the agency says do not pose a risk are distribution and consumer use in pepper