Originally Published: March 16, 2021 | Last Updated: December 19, 2023
As part of EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency has completed a final risk evaluation for trichlorethylene (TCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In the final TCE risk evaluation, EPA evaluated 54 conditions of use, such as various industrial and commercial uses including as a solvent for cleaning or degreasing, use in paint and coating removal, adhesives and sealants, lubricants and greases, functional fluids, cleaning products and automobile care products, and several consumer uses.
The TCE risk evaluation contains the agency’s final determinations on which conditions of use present unreasonable risks to human health or the environment based on a robust review of the scientific data. To prepare the final risk evaluation, EPA reviewed extensive scientific literature, conducted modeling and other risk assessment activities, and collected toxicity, exposure, and hazard information from many sources.
Releasing a final risk evaluation is the last step in the scientific risk evaluation process required by TSCA and will guide the agency’s efforts to address harmful human exposure to this chemical. EPA will now begin the risk management process to develop ways to mitigate the unreasonable risks identified. Under TSCA, EPA has up to one year to propose and take public comments on any risk management actions.