TCE is a known carcinogen. A ban finalized by EPA in 2024 is now in jeopardy
When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final ban on most uses of toxic trichloroethylene (TCE) in December 2024, it marked a long overdue victory for public health. This cancer-causing solvent is known as one of the “worst of the worst” toxic chemicals—linked to Parkinson’s disease, cancer, reproductive harm, and neurological damage
But right now, this ban is in jeopardy due to Congressional Review Act Resolutions in Congress that seek to stop it.
A widespread threat to health
Today, 17 million Americans are known to be exposed to TCE across nearly 400 drinking water systems in 41 states—in communities like Newark, NJ, Wichita, KS, Tucson, AZ and Moses Lake, WA. It also has polluted indoor air in communities across the country, including Endicott, NY and on Long Island.
Around 250 million pounds of TCE are still produced each year in the U.S. It’s used to manufacture refrigerant chemicals, as a degreasing solvent, a spot cleaner in dry cleaning, and in consumer products like cleaners and solvent degreasers, adhesives, lubricants, hoof polishes, mirror edge sealants, and pepper spray.
Military families have suffered from TCE contamination
TCE is known to have polluted military bases like Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, where thousands of Marines—including my dad —have served. Retired Staff Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, whose nine-year-old daughter Janey died of leukemia, has led the fight to stop this pollution and bring justice to thousands of Marines and their families whose health has been affected by contamination on the base.
“The Camp Lejeune contaminated drinking water issue has dragged on over the better part of 40 years ever since TCE, PCE, and other organic solvents were first documented in the base’s drinking water supply in October 1980,” said Jerry M. Ensminger, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant. “My daughter, Janey, was conceived aboard Camp Lejeune during the drinking water contamination and died of leukemia in 1985, at the age of nine.”
Communities like Woburn have waited long enough
When the rule banning TCE was announced, Senator Ed Markey joined Anne Anderson in Woburn, MA in the announcement. Anne’s son Jimmy Anderson was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of three and passed away in 1981. Woburn suffered groundwater contamination from the dumping of TCE and other toxic chemicals.
Proposed actions would roll back progress
Two Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions in Congress have been introduced that would stop the ban from going into effect. To do that, the resolutions will need to win a majority of votes in both chambers.
We’re fighting to stop these resolutions. Working with partner groups, we organized a letter signed by 170 local, state, and national groups urging senators and representatives to oppose both CRAs.
Take action: Tell your member of Congress to protect the TCE ban
Communities across the U.S. whose drinking water is contaminated by this cancer-causing chemical should not have to wait any longer. Families whose loved ones have suffered from cancer, birth defects, and Parkinson’s disease have waited far too long.
You can help us send a strong message to your members of Congress that we’ve waited long enough to phase out and ban this cancer-causing chemical.
Tell Congress: Keep EPA’s ban on TCE
Director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, Toxic-Free Future's federal policy program
Liz Hitchcock is director of Toxic-Free Future’s federal policy program. She leads advocacy efforts with Congress, EPA and other federal agencies.
