TCE may be found in
the air, water, and soil at places where it is produced or used
. It breaks down slowly and remains in the environment for a long time. It readily passes through soil and can accumulate in groundwater.
Is TCE still used?
In December 2016, using its authority under the newly strengthened Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA proposed to ban the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) in
aerosol degreasing and spot cleaning
in dry cleaning facilities, after finding excessive risks to workers, consumers, and bystanders.
What industries use TCE?
TCE is used as a degreasing solvent in the
metal finishing, automotive and aerospace industries
. TCE is an important solvent for degreasing soft metals such as aluminum and works well cleaning steel before galvanizing.
How do I remove TCE from groundwater?
TCE usually is remediated through pump and treat, using either air stripping or granular activated carbon, but there are many innovative cleanup methods—
physical, chemical, thermal, and biological
—that have been applied successfully to remove TCE from soil and ground water or to convert it into nonhazardous compounds.
How do you detect TCE?
If you have been exposed to TCE recently, it can be detected in
your breath, blood, or urine
. For small amounts of TCE, breath testing must occur within an hour or two after exposure. For large amounts of TCE, blood and urine tests can find TCE and its byproducts up to a week after exposure.
What household products have TCE?
It is used primarily to make refrigerants and other hydrofluorocarbons and as a degreasing solvent for metal equipment. TCE is also used in some household products, such as
cleaning wipes
, aerosol cleaning products, tool cleaners, paint removers, spray adhesives, and carpet cleaners and spot removers.
Is TCE illegal?
Also known as trichloroethylene, TCE is a halocarbon frequently used for industrial solvent needs. However,
the chemical compound appears on track to be banned or severely regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
.
Why is TCE toxic to humans?
TCE is carcinogenic to humans
by all routes of exposure
and poses a potential human health hazard for noncancer toxicity to the central nervous system, kidney, liver, immune system, male reproductive system, and the developing embryo/fetus.
What contains trichloroethylene TCE?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is used as a solvent for degreasing metal parts during the manufacture of a variety of products. It can be found in consumer products, including
some wood finishes, adhesives, paint removers, and stain removers
.
Is TCE safe?
Trichloroethylene may cause irritation to the eyes and skin. Exposure to high concentrations can cause dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, unconsciousness, liver damage, and even death. Trichloroethylene is a known carcingen. Workers may be harmed from exposure to trichloroethylene.
How does TCE get into groundwater?
TCE is a volatile solvent used for degreasing during the manufacture of products. TCE can enter soil, groundwater, and surface water from
leaking storage tanks or
from improper disposal of wastes. Once TCE reaches groundwater aquifers, it can contaminate private and public drinking water wells.
What is the contaminant TCE?
Trichloroethylene
(TCE) is a halogenated aliphatic organic compound which, due to its unique properties and solvent effects, has been widely used as an ingredient in industrial cleaning solutions and as a “universal” degreasing agent.
When was TCE created?
Though it was first synthesized in
1864
, Trichloroethylene (TCE) made its true entrance as a substitute for petroleum distillates in the early 1920s, and quickly became a front-runner solvent for vapor degreasing in the 1930s.
How do you test TCE in air?
Professionals can test air using a variety of ways. They might collect a
grab sample over a few minutes or a canister sample over hours or a day
. The sample is sent to a laboratory to test for TCE and other volatile compounds; it usually takes a few weeks to get the results.
What are the health effects of TCE?
Acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure to trichloroethylene can affect the human central nervous system (CNS), with symptoms such as
dizziness, headaches, confusion, euphoria, facial numbness, and weakness
.
Is TCE banned in the US?
Minnesota’s new law passed both chambers of its legislature by overwhelming majorities. The new
law bans the use of TCE in any facility required to have
a state-issued air permit, including in any manufacturing, processing, or cleaning processes. We applaud Minnesota’s leadership!
