Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking feedback as it ponders reversing a ban on most uses of the carcinogenic chemical substance perchloroethylene.
Also known as tetrachloroethylene or PCE, perchloroethylene has been linked to adverse health effects involving the nervous system, kidneys and liver. A 2017 study published in the journal BMJ Open shows that occupational exposure to PCE may increase women’s risk of head and neck cancer.
EPA announced a partial ban of PCE, which is found in multiple everyday products such as household cleaning products, on Dec. 18. The final rule went into effect on Jan. 17.
However, a notice published July 30 states that the agency is seeking to amend the regulation “as appropriate” after various litigation challenging the rule, as well as EPA’s determination that it “should be reconsidered.”
EPA previously issued a final revised risk determination stating that PCE poses “unreasonable” risk to workers in certain operations.
Under the rule, EPA is set to phase out commercial use of PCE within two years and, within 10 years, prohibit its use in dry cleaning. The agency also established strict workplace controls for continuing uses that “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.”
EPA says it’s seeking feedback “on all aspects of the PCE rule,” but of particular interest:
- Experiences with the rule since it went into effect.
- Whether EPA should consider additional or alternative measures or approaches to address the unreasonable risk presented by PCE under the conditions of use.
- Conditions of use EPA could contemplate subjecting to a Workplace Chemical Protection Program, as opposed to imposing a prohibition.
The deadline to comment is Aug. 29.
