The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to address health risks posed by trichloroethylene (TCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The rule includes prohibitions on the manufacture, processing, distribution, and use of TCE across various industrial and commercial applications, with certain phase-outs and exemptions focusing on critical uses such as in lead-acid battery separators and essential aerospace operations. All consumer uses of TCE are prohibited, and strict workplace controls are mandated for remaining uses until prohibition is fully implemented. These measures aim to eliminate the unreasonable health risks associated with TCE exposure, while providing time for affected industries to transition to safer alternatives.
Simple Explanation
The EPA has made a new rule to keep people safe from a chemical called trichloroethylene (TCE) by stopping people from using it at home and making it harder for companies to use it at work, but they have given some time for companies to find safer stuff to use instead.