Overview on Regulatory Status of Halogenated Solvent Cleaners

Several solvents used in parts-cleaning operations — such as methylene chloride (MEC), perchloroethylene (perc), and trichloroethylene (TCE), and n-propyl bromide (nPB) — are all filed under “Risk Evaluation” by the U.S. EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk to health or the environment under the conditions of use. As part of this process, EPA must evaluate both hazards and exposure, exclude consideration of costs or other non-risk factors, use scientific information and approaches in a manner that is consistent with the requirements in TSCA for the best available science, and ensure that decisions are based on the weight of scientific evidence.

Part 1:  Current Regulatory Status: October 23, 2023

  • Methylene Chloride: In November 2022, EPA released a final revised risk determination for methylene chloride. The final revised risk determination finds that methylene chloride as a whole chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use.
  • Perchloroethylene: In June 2023, EPA proposed to ban most uses of PCE and establish a workplace chemical protection program (WCCP) for uses not prohibited to address the unreasonable risk to human health.
  • Trichloroethylene: In October 2023, EPA proposed a risk management rule to address unreasonable risk posed by trichloroethylene (TCE) to human health, including the final revised risk determination for TCE
  • nPB: also known as 1-bromopropane (1-BP), In December 2022, EPA released a final revised risk determination for 1-BP. The final revised risk determination finds that 1-BP, as a whole chemical, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use. Risk evaluation for 1-Bromopropane
For Testing Fields:

Start Date:

End Date:

Location:

Booth Number:

External Link:

Is External Link?

Excerpt: Several solvents used in parts-cleaning operations — such as methylene chloride (MEC), perchloroethylene (perc), and trichloroethylene (TCE), and n-propyl bromide (nPB) — are all filed under “Risk Evaluation” by the U.S. EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Full Text: