EPA Bans Two Known Carcinogens Used In Consumer Products, Industrial Settings

The Washington Post (12/9, A1, Ajasa) reports, “The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday the ban of two known carcinogens used in a variety of consumer products and industrial settings, in rules that underscore President Joe Biden’s efforts to seemingly streamline environmental protections against harmful chemicals ahead of a new administration.” Monday’s “announcement includes the complete ban of trichloroethylene – also known as TCE – a substance found in common consumer and manufacturing products including degreasing agents, furniture care and auto repair products.” Additionally, “the agency banned all consumer uses and many commercial uses of perc – also known as tetrachloroethylene and PCE – an industrial solvent long used in applications such as dry cleaning and auto repair.” The New York Times (12/9, Tabuchi) reports, “TCE is known to cause liver cancer, kidney cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and to damage the nervous and immune systems.” Furthermore, while “it is less harmful than TCE,” perchloroethylene “can cause liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer, and can damage kidneys, the liver and the immune system.”