On December 9, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a ban on many uses of two common solvents, perchloroethylene (PCE or Perc) and trichloroethylene (TCE). This action is part of the agency's risk evaluation process for existing chemicals under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments.
PCE and TCE have been widely used degreasing solvents since the 1950s, with PCE also common in dry cleaning and TCE found in various consumer and commercial products. Most commercial and industrial uses of both chemicals will be prohibited, though allowances for longer phase-out times have been granted for certain aerospace, naval, laboratory, and refrigerant manufacturing applications.
The new rules require a ten-year phaseout for dry cleaning uses of PCE and prohibit its use in newly acquired dry-cleaning machines after six months. This regulatory change creates a significant need for affected industries to identify and implement alternative solutions and ensure compliance, driving demand for Exponent's chemical and environmental consulting expertise.
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