Minneapolis, MN, June 18th, 2020
In May, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota signed a bill into law that will ban the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the state. The TCE ban goes into effect by June 1, 2022 and the new law makes Minnesota that first state in the nation to ban the industrial chemical.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), TCE is a volatile organic compound (VOC) used mostly in industrial and commercial processes. TCE is used as a solvent, as an intermediate for refrigerant manufacture and as a spotting agent in dry cleaning facilities. An estimated 84% of TCE’s annual production volume is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of the hydrofluorocarbon HFC-134a. Another 15% of TCE production volume is used as a degreasing solvent, leaving approximately 1% for other uses.
Back in 2016, TCE was added to the 14th Report on Carcinogens (RoC) list of agents, substances, mixtures and exposure circumstances that are known or reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in humans. In early 2020, the EPA also published a TCE draft risk evaluation for public comment and peer review. In the preliminary determination, the agency found that TCE does present risks to the environment and found unreasonable risk associated with dermal and inhalation exposure for workers, occupational non-users, consumers and bystanders.
“Depending on the circumstance, people can be exposed to TCE through inhalation, ingestion and dermal exposure,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The list of potential health effects is long, including the potential for organ damage and possibly cancer. This is also why there is an OSHA permissible exposure limit to protect workers. EMSL offers comprehensive indoor air quality, industrial hygiene and environmental testing for TCE, other VOCs, and a long list of industrial chemicals.”
EMSL Analytical, Inc. has also sponsored an educational video about TCE and exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/DetCE36YMHs.
To learn more about TCE testing or other industrial hygiene, environmental, indoor air quality, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria,
Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at
www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
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