Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is a highly toxic compound that pollutes soil, water and air, putting millions at risk – especially pregnant people, children and those with weakened immune systems.
TCE is a hazardous synthetic, nonflammable and colorless volatile organic compound that has been used in the U.S. since the early 1920s. It’s a solvent used in industrial processes for maintenance, degreasing and manufacturing. TCE is also found in household products, such as fabric stain removers, spray adhesives, wood finishes and paints.
TCE is present at nearly 40 percent of the hazardous waste sites on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List for potential Superfund cleanups.
The EPA banned all uses of TCE in 2024, but some in Congress want to reverse the ban.
How TCE harms health
People are exposed to TCE through breathing it, absorbing it through skin, or by drinking contaminated water – it pollutes the drinking water of 17 million Americans.
Short- and long-term exposure to TCE is linked to many health harms, including:
Nervous system damage
Even small amounts of TCE can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. Long-term or chronic exposure can disrupt nervous system functions. TCE has been linked to serious health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, memory loss and depression.
Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies TCE as a known human carcinogen. It took this decision in 2023 based on strong evidence linking TCE exposure to kidney cancer.
The EPA’s review of TCE, which included human epidemiological data and animal studies, also convincingly linked long-term exposure to kidney cancer.
TCE suppresses immune systems, damages DNA and creates genetic mutations that can lead to cancerous tumors. Specific cancers associated with TCE exposure include kidney and liver cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia.
Fetal heart defects and developmental harm
Exposure to TCE during pregnancy may result in birth defects, including congenital fetal heart defects. It can also affect heart development by interfering with cell functions, hormones necessary for growth and development, and gene activity that can suppress cardiac organ growth or lead to structural defects.
TCE can also harm the developing immune system and can lead to health issues such as hypersensitivity or increased risk of autoimmune disease.
Reproductive harms
TCE affects hormone levels, which can lead to infertility in men and women, miscarriage and premature birth. It can interfere with hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. TCE can also affect embryo implantation, contributing to miscarriage or premature birth.
TCE in the workplace and military
The EPA estimates that there are almost 68,000 workers in the U.S. exposed to TCE annually. Aside from contamination of the environment in general, TCE is also prevalent in metal cleaning and electronics manufacturing facilities.
The military has also been a major source of TCE contamination. The Department of Defense often used TCE as an industrial cleaner for aircraft and tanks, especially during World War II. After years of improper disposal at military installations, TCE is now found in the groundwater at 1,400 sites.
One of the worst cases of contamination was at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, where millions of service members and their families were exposed to TCE, resulting in long-term health harms.
After learning the risks associated with TCE exposure, some DOD facilities have taken steps to limit exposure by requiring workers to use personal protective equipment. Despite this, many health related risks are still present.
TCE is finally banned, but some in Congress want to reverse it
In 2024, the EPA issued a final rule banning the use of TCE under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This ban phases out the production, sale and use of TCE because of its severe and potentially irreversible health harms.
Most industrial and commercial uses of TCE will be phased out by September 2025. Some uses, like making medical devices, battery parts, and DOD aerospace components, may be phased out over as long as 20 years. And it might take that long to develop adequate alternatives. TCE will be allowed for essential laboratory activities until 2074.
In response, Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) are pushing legislation to reverse the ban, putting millions of Americans and veterans at risk again. Their resolution may be voted on any time between now and early June.
What’s next?
If Congress overturns the ban, TCE could continue polluting communities and harming people’s health. Public pressure is critical to make sure the ban stays in place.
March 2025