An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Assessing and Managing Chemicals under TSCA

Risk Management for Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Below is information on EPA actions to manage risks from trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a volatile organic compound used mostly in industrial and commercial processes. Consumer uses include cleaning and furniture care products, arts and crafts spray coatings, and automotive care products like brake cleaners, and other consumer products.

On this page:

On other pages:


Managing Risks Found in the 2020 Final Risk Evaluation

EPA completed the final risk evaluation for TCE under amended TSCA in November 2020. The final risk evaluation for TCE determined that there are unreasonable risks to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders for 52 out of 54 conditions of use. EPA found no unreasonable risks to the environment. 

The next step in the process required by TSCA is addressing these risks. There are several actions EPA could take to address these risks, including regulations to prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, distribution in the marketplace, use, or disposal of this chemical substance, as applicable. EPA is now in the process of developing ways to address the unreasonable risks identified and has up to one year to propose and take public comments on any risk management actions.

Opportunities for Public and Stakeholder Engagement

There will be additional opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement as EPA works through the risk management process for this chemical. Just like the risk evaluation process, there will also be opportunities for public comment as EPA works to propose and finalize risk management actions for the conditions of use of TCE that EPA has determined present an unreasonable risk.

Past Meetings, Webinars, and Other Engagement Opportunities

On December 15, 2020, EPA held a webinar to educate stakeholders on the risk management process under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the findings in the final risk evaluation for TCE. View the materials for the webinar.

The deadline for self-nominations for the Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel on risk management for TCE was December 14, 2020. Learn more about the potential SBAR panel