The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to ban certain uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) due to health risks when used as a degreaser and a spot removal agent in dry cleaning.

Most manufacturers and dry-cleaning plants, including Highlander Cleaners, no longer use TCE in their stain removers.

Specifically, the EPA is proposing to prohibit the manufacturing (including importing), processing and distribution of TCE for use in aerosol degreasing and for use in spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities. EPA is also proposing to require manufacturers, processors, and distributors to notify retailers and others in their supply chains of the prohibitions.

EPA’s assessment also found risks associated with TCE use in vapor degreasing. The agency is developing a separate proposed regulatory action to address those risks. Recently, EPA announced the inclusion of TCE on the list of the first ten chemicals to be evaluated for risk under TSCA. That action will allow EPA will evaluate the other remaining uses of the chemical. The current action only proposes to ban certain uses of the chemical.

(As published at www.pdclean.org)

To learn more about Highlander Cleaners cleaning and eco-friendly process, email us at info@highlandercleaners.com or call (717) 367-4665.