Summary
The EPA has banned TCE and perc, toxic chemicals linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, and other severe health issues.
Widely used in dry cleaning, degreasers, and consumer products, these substances have contaminated groundwater and air, particularly near military bases.
The ban, which reverses Trump-era rollbacks and surpasses Obama-era proposals, has been welcomed by public health advocates but opposed by industry groups.
The four-year timeline to undo the ban makes it difficult for the incoming Trump administration to reverse, despite its intent to loosen chemical regulations.
Spent a year working at a dry cleaners. The first time I opened that machine and got blasted in the face with perc vapors I imagined it must be like being exposed on a planet with a methane atmosphere. That is some harsh stuff. After that job I inventoried hazardous chemicals at a pharma research site, and nothing they had hit my lungs and eyes like perc. The labs at least had good ventilation. Dry cleaning is a harsh business. It was disgusting and dangerous in all kinds of ways no other job I’ve had has been.