EPA Places Ban On Two Solvents Known To Cause Cancer

The EPA expects to ban most of TCE use within one year. However, the agency is finalizing a 10-year phaseout for PCE.

The Environmental Protection Agency has placed a ban on two solvents known to cause a range of cancers.

TCE and PCE or Perc are used in a variety of products including cleaners, degreasers, sealants, lubricants, adhesives, and commercial applications such as dry cleaning.

TCE is known to cause liver and kidney cancer and can also damage the nervous and immune system, reproductive organs and more.

PCE causes liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer. It also causes damage to the immune system and more.

The ban applies to all uses of TCE and all consumer uses and many commercial uses for PCE.

The EPA expects to ban most of TCE use within one year. However, the agency is finalizing a 10-year phaseout for PCE.