If your business manufactures or uses products that contain the chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE) or perchloroethylene (PCE), it’s time to start planning how you’ll properly dispose of these now banned substances.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the latest risk management rules for these two chemicals under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments. The rules ban all uses of TCE, as well as all consumer uses and many commercial uses of PCE. The updates also require worker protections for all remaining uses under the TSCA.
If your workers regularly use or manufacture products that contain these substances, ensuring that the chemicals are properly disposed of is key to compliance from all angles.
What Is TCE And PCE?
Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is an extremely toxic chemical. It is known to cause liver cancer, kidney cancer and non-
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, according to the EPA.
TCE also damages the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system and reproductive organs, as well as can lead to fetal heart defects. These risks are present even at very small concentrations.
Under the new rule, all uses of TCE will be banned over time (with the vast majority of identified risks eliminated within one year), and safer alternatives are readily available for the majority of uses, according to the federal agency.
Perchloroethylene, or PCE, is known to cause liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer, as well as cause damage to the kidney, liver and immune system. Its use can lead to neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity.
The EPA ruling bans the manufacturing, processing and distribution in commerce of PCE for all consumer uses and many commercial uses. However, some workplace uses are permitted to continue only where “robust workplace controls can be implemented,” according to the EPA.
When Will PCE Be Allowed?
Both PCE and TCE are nonflammable chlorinated solvents that are volatile organic compounds. PCE can biodegrade into TCE, and PCE may contain trace amounts of TCE as an impurity or a contaminant. These chemicals can serve as alternatives for each other.
Some examples of uses that will be prohibited under the TCE rule, but will continue under the PCE rule include:
- Industrial and commercial use as an energized electrical cleaner
- In laboratory use for asphalt testing and recovery
- Use to make refrigerants and other chemicals
- For vapor degreasing
How Are TCE And PCE Used Today?
Prior to the bans, TCE was used as a solvent in consumer and commercial products. These included cleaning and
furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, sealants, lubricants, adhesives, paints and coatings, arts and crafts spray coatings, and in the manufacture of some refrigerants.
PCE is a solvent that is widely used for consumer uses such as brake cleaners and adhesives, in commercial applications such as dry cleaning, and in many industrial settings. Safer alternatives are readily available for the majority of these uses.
The newest rule also finalizes controls for the chemical’s continued use under a Workplace Chemical Protection Program. These uses generally occur in highly sophisticated workplaces that may be important to national security, aviation and other critical infrastructure, as well as uses that complement the agency’s efforts to combat the climate crisis, according to the EPA.
These uses include:
- Use in the production of other chemicals, including refrigerant chemicals that may complement efforts to phase down climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons under the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing Act
- Use in petrochemical manufacturing
- Use in agricultural chemical manufacturing (originally proposed to be prohibited)
- Use for cold cleaning of tanker vessels (originally proposed to be prohibited)
- Use as maskant for chemical milling
- Use as a vapor degreasing solvent
- Use in adhesives and sealants
- Use in energized electrical cleaning (originally proposed to be prohibited)
- Processing into formulation, mixture or reaction products
- Import, recycling, disposal, processing by repackaging and domestic manufacturing of PCE
What Should Small Businesses Do Now?
As a follow-up to consultations with small businesses, EPA plans to release compliance guidance for the use of PCE in dry cleaning and energized electrical cleaning in the coming months, as well as for the TCE rule.
The federal Fiscal Year 2025 budget requested funding to support small business efforts to transition to TSCA-compliant practices and mitigate economic impacts. If implemented, these grants could be used to support small businesses like dry cleaners in their transition away from PCE.
The EPA will host a public webinar to explain what is in the PCE final rule and how it will be implemented on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. EST. Registration is available on the Final Regulation of Perchloroethylene under TSCA webinar page.
In the meantime, it’s important for businesses to start planning how they will properly dispose of these chemicals. Partnering with hazardous waste disposal companies can help ensure compliance with evolving regulations, protect the environment and mitigate potential fines or liabilities.
These companies specialize in safely handling, transporting and disposing of hazardous substances, providing businesses with peace of mind and a clear path toward sustainable operations.
When looking for a hazardous waste disposal company during this transition, businesses should prioritize providers with proven experience handling the specific chemicals involved, a strong compliance record, and the ability to provide detailed documentation of proper disposal methods.
Choosing a company that offers consultation services or a free quote can help ensure that your waste management practices align with the latest regulatory requirements and support a smooth, cost-effective transition.
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