U.S. EPA Proposes Ban of TCE in Vapor Degreasing Applications

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to ban the use of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) due to health risks when used in vapor degreasing. The proposed rule was issued under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

Specifically, EPA is proposing to prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for use in vapor degreasing. EPA is also proposing to require manufacturers, processors, and distributors to notify retailers and others in their supply chains of the prohibitions.

MicroCare has a wide array of alternative solvents and cleaners which many companies find to be “drop in” replacements for TCE and other, old-style solvents. More about those cleaners can be found at the nPB replacements web site provided by MicroCare. Other cleaners and information about vapor degreasing is available at the main MicroCare critical cleaning resources page.