EPA considers first ban on toxic chemical in decades
(Washington, DC) Today, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families was joined by more than thirty public health, consumer and environmental groups in submitting comments in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed ban on the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) in aerosol degreasing and spot removal in dry cleaning operations due to health risks. If enacted, this would represent the EPA’s first ban on a toxic chemical in decades.
Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Government Affairs Director Liz Hitchcock had the following statement:
“EPA has our full support for its proposed ban on the use of TCE in dry cleaners and aerosol degreasing operations. TCE’s dangers to human health are undeniable. They include cancer, reproductive harm, birth defects, liver and kidney damage and harmful effects on the nervous system. Tens of thousands of workers and consumers are exposed to unsafe levels of TCE from these operations.
No one should be exposed to a dangerous chemical like this at home or on the job. We will continue to encourage EPA to follow the lead of several states and other countries that have prohibited these uses of TCE and move quickly to finalize the proposed bans.”
Attention reporters: For a copy of the coalition’s extensive comments to EPA, download as pdf.