In a significant move for public health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially banned the production and use of two hazardous chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), due to their cancer-causing properties [95abcab7]. This ban is part of the finalized risk management rules under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments [95abcab7]. TCE has been linked to serious health issues, including liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, while PCE is associated with liver, kidney, brain, and testicular cancers [95abcab7]. The ban will eliminate most uses of TCE within one year, although some uses of PCE will still be permitted under strict workplace controls [95abcab7].
This regulatory action comes at a time when communities, such as those in South Memphis, are grappling with the aftermath of exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO), another cancer-causing chemical released by Sterilization Services of Tennessee [f011b66f]. Local residents are encouraged to join a class-action lawsuit against the factory, which has been accused of gross negligence and causing severe health issues among the community [f011b66f]. The lawsuit alleges that exposure to EtO has resulted in various cancers and other serious health conditions [f011b66f]. As the EPA takes steps to ban harmful chemicals, the situation in South Memphis underscores the ongoing challenges faced by communities affected by toxic substances [f011b66f].
Senator Ed Markey praised the EPA's decision to ban TCE and PCE, emphasizing its importance for public health, particularly for children [95abcab7]. Assistant Administrator Michal Freedhoff reiterated that the use of such chemicals is unacceptable when safer alternatives are available [95abcab7]. Meanwhile, the residents of South Memphis await the expected dissipation of EtO in the air by September, marking a potential turning point in their fight for justice and health safety [f011b66f].