The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a significant step by banning two industrial solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (Perc), due to their severe health risks, including cancer and immune system damage.
Perchloroethylene, commonly used in dry-cleaning and automotive care products, is now prohibited for consumer use. Although less toxic than TCE, Perc has been linked to cancers such as brain, testicular, and liver cancer, as well as liver, kidney, and immune system damage.
Trichloroethylene, widely utilized in industrial degreasing, adhesives, and paint removers, is another hazardous chemical targeted by the ban. TCE has been shown to contaminate air and groundwater, with long-term exposure causing liver cancer, kidney cancer, and neurological disorders. Additionally, studies have connected TCE exposure during pregnancy to congenital heart defects in children.
The EPA’s decision aims to protect public health and address longstanding concerns in communities exposed to these chemicals. Public health advocates, including Linda Robles, have welcomed the ban as a long-overdue measure.
Ms. Robles, whose daughter Tianna died in 2007 from a rare cancer and kidney failure, believes her illness was linked to TCE exposure near Tucson International Airport and military facilities. “For decades, they’ve promised to ban TCE, so seeing it finally happen is a significant step. I’ll never get my daughter back,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health over industrial convenience.
This move is seen as a critical effort to safeguard communities and prevent future health crises caused by these hazardous chemicals.