US EPA consults on TCE and Methylene Chloride as harmful substances

On the 11^th of July 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US notifies and seeks comment on a draft revision for trichloroethylene (TCE) risk evaluation issued under TSCA.

The old draft was revised to reflect the policy changes, to enhance the environment’s protection from unreasonable risks caused by chemicals. According to EPA, TCE as a whole chemical substance can cause unreasonable risks and injury to health.

This decision does not cover the assumption that all workers always wear personal protective equipment (PPE). This is because there is possibly a subpopulation of workers who might be highly exposed to TCE because they are not covered by OSHA standards or because many of OSHA’s chemical-specific permissible exposure limits are now outdated and inadequate for protecting workers’ health. OSHA standards are the rules that explain the methods employers are obligated to use to ensure their employees are protected from hazards.

When implemented, this decision will supersede the condition of use-specific no unreasonable risk determinations in the November 2020 TCE risk evaluation and will make a revised determination of unreasonable risk for TCE as a whole chemical substance.

The proposed dates of adoption and entry into force are yet to be determined. Comments for the draft revision will close on August 8, 2022.