The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to eliminate manufacturing, distributing, and using trichloroethylene (TCE) because of its alleged unacceptable level of toxicity. TCE is widely used as a solvent in a variety of applications, including aircraft manufacturing and maintenance. The proposal includes extended compliance timeframes and workplace controls for certain industrial and commercial uses (including proposed phaseouts and time-limited exemptions); prohibits the disposal of TCE to industrial pre-treatment, industrial treatment, or publicly owned treatment works, with a time-limited exemption for cleanup projects; and establishes recordkeeping and downstream notification requirements. Comments must be received by Dec. 15, 2023.
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