EPA Announces Environmental Justice Consultations on Risk Management Rulemakings for Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites environmental justice communities and stakeholders to participate in Environmental Justice Consultations regarding the development of proposed risk management actions under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address unreasonable risks presented by trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). The environmental justice consultation period will extend from today through August 20, 2021. The agency will hold identical two consultation webinars, one on June 16, 2021 and the other on July 6, 2021. EPA is offering these repeated sessions to increase opportunities for participation. Both sessions will provide an overview of the TSCA risk management requirements, the findings from the final risk evaluations, the tools available to manage the unreasonable risks from TCE and PCE, and an opportunity for EPA to obtain input on environmental justice concerns. These consultations are open to the public, and EPA is inviting national, local and non-governmental organizations, communities, and other interested stakeholders to participate. In addition to these environmental justice consultations, EPA is executing a robust outreach effort during risk management that includes consultations with small businesses, state and local governments, and tribes. There will also be an open public comment period on proposed risk management regulations. Find registration information for the environmental justice consultations and more opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement at https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-existing-chemicals-under-tsca. While outreach and stakeholder engagement on risk management activities for these chemicals will continue to move forward, EPA is actively reviewing final risk evaluations to ensure they use the best available science and protect human health and the environment, in accordance with the Executive Orders and other direction provided by the Biden-Harris Administration. The agency will keep stakeholders updated as decisions are made, and next steps are determined. Background: Under TSCA, EPA is required to evaluate the risks associated with existing chemicals in commerce using the best available science before taking action to address any unreasonable risks. The agency issued a final risk evaluation for TCE in November 2020 and one for PCEin December 2020. The final risk evaluations for TCE and PCE show unreasonable risks to workers and occupational non-users under certain conditions of use. EPA is now moving to risk management for these chemicals, the next step in the process required by TSCA. TCE is a volatile organic compound used mostly in industrial and commercial processes. Common commercial uses of TCE are as a solvent in industrial cleaning/degreasing, an ingredient in adhesives and sealants, in paints and coatings, and in automotive care products like brake cleaners. Consumer uses include cleaning and furniture care products, arts and crafts spray coatings, and automotive care products like brake cleaners, and other consumer products. PCE is a colorless liquid used primarily in industrial settings for the production of fluorinated compounds and as a solvent. This chemical is also used as a solvent for dry cleaning and degreasing, and in lubricants, adhesives, and sealants. PCE has a limited number of consumer uses in products like adhesives for arts and crafts and stainless steel polish. Learn more about the risk evaluation process required by TSCA. Learn more about risk management for TCE. Learn more about risk management for PCE. | 
