The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned two chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning because of their toxicity and cancer risks.
The EPA announced on Dec. 9 that it finalized the risk management regulations for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
PCE is commonly used for dry cleaning clothing, and TCE was once used for dry cleaning but has been phased out for that use, according to a 2016 study. Still, both substances are also used in industrial degreasers, consumer adhesive products and paint and stain removing products, the Minnesota Department of Health reported.
According to the EPA, both chemicals are volatile organic compounds and exposure to each comes with its own elevated risks of certain forms of cancer.
“It’s simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist,” Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for …