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EPA Advances TSCA Review of 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Releases Draft Risk Evaluation

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of a widely used solvent, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing its draft risk evaluation. Using tools that include real-world monitoring data, exposure modeling and systematic review, the draft identifies significant contributions to unreasonable risk to workers from dermal and inhalation exposure for 10 occupational conditions of use. The draft did not find unreasonable risk to consumers, the general population, or the environment.

The EPA is seeking feedback for these findings, including a 60-day public comment period and review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) of the hazard and exposure technical support documents that informed the draft risk evaluation.

All current protections for 1,1,2-trichloroethane remain in place while EPA completes this review. After peer review and public comment, EPA will move promptly to finalize the evaluation. If EPA continues to find unreasonable risk, it will propose risk management actions under TSCA section 6(a) to reduce or eliminate those exposures in workplaces, on a clear and accountable timeline.

The evaluation is draft and does not represent EPA's final determination regarding the risks posed by this chemical; findings and conclusions may change based on feedback received during public comment and peer review.

Upon publication of the Federal Register notice announcing availability, EPA will accept public comments for 60 days in the 1,1,2-trichloroethane TSCA docket (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0421) on www.regulations.gov. EPA will carefully consider all input before finalizing the evaluation in accordance with TSCA requirements.