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New EPA Rules Will Eventually Ban all Uses of Trichloroethylene and Many Uses of Perchloroethylene

Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	1/10/2025
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	New EPA Rules Will Eventually Ban all Uses of Trichloroethylene and Many Uses of Perchloroethylene
Introduction	EMSL Analytical provides environmental, industrial hygiene, and material testing services to identify a wide range of chemical exposure risks to protect workers and the public, and to help keep companies in regulatory compliance.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey, January 10, 2025 Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had finalized the latest risk management rules for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). Under the new rules, all uses of TCE will be banned over time. EPA will also be banning the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of PCE for all consumer uses and many commercial uses, while allowing some workplace uses to continue where effective workplace controls can be implemented. According to the EPA: PCE and TCE are both nonflammable chlorinated solvents that are volatile organic compounds. PCE can biodegrade into TCE, and PCE may contain trace amounts of TCE as an impurity or a contaminant. The chemicals can often serve as alternatives for each other. For several uses of TCE that will be totally prohibited, there is an analogous use of PCE that can continue safely in perpetuity under workplace controls. Some examples of uses that will be prohibited under the TCE rule, but will continue under the PCE rule include: industrial and commercial use as an energized electrical cleaner, in laboratory use for asphalt testing and recovery, use to make refrigerants and other chemicals, and for vapor degreasing. "Both of these chemicals are known to cause cancer and other serious health issues," said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL, our environmental, industrial hygiene, and material testing laboratories are dedicated to protecting against exposure to TCE, PCE, and other chemical hazards. Our laboratories offer testing services, sampling supplies, and even personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate exposure risks.” To learn more about TCE and PCE testing, or other environmental, health, and safety resources, 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 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, VOCs, 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 EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA 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.