The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned two cancer-causing chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (perc), long used in consumer products and industrial processes, marking an important step in reducing chemical exposure risks for workers and communities.
Amudalat Ajasa reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The EPA has banned all uses of TCE, linked to cancers like leukemia and kidney cancer, and most uses of perc, a solvent known to harm the nervous and reproductive systems.
- The bans reflect decades of advocacy, including by Anne Anderson, whose fight began after her son’s leukemia was tied to TCE-contaminated water.
- While safer alternatives exist, environmental contamination from these chemicals remains a long-term challenge.
Key quote:
“The only thing that we could do to really address the risks of this incredibly dangerous chemical was to ban it."
— Michal Freedhoff, EPA assistant administrator
Why this matters:
TCE and perc are tied to cancer, neurological harm, and reproductive issues, disproportionately affecting industrial workers and nearby communities. This isn’t just about regulating industry; it’s about reckoning with how we’ve valued convenience over human and planetary health. Read more: It’s time to get toxic chemicals out of dry cleaning.
