EPA Tackles 1,1,2-Trichloroethane: Chemical Tongue-Twister Risks
Published Date: 7/29/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA just released a draft report on 1,1,2-trichloroethane, a chemical used in some industries, to see if it’s risky to people or the environment. They want everyone—especially businesses and communities near where it’s used—to share their thoughts by September 28, 2026. This could lead to new rules that might change how the chemical is handled, possibly affecting costs and safety practices.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
EPA requests detailed industry data
EPA is asking manufacturers, importers, users, and others to submit detailed information about imports, quantities, manufacturing (including whether it is a primary product or a byproduct), uses in adhesives, laboratory use, cleaning and degreasing, transport containers, remediation practices, worker schedules and monitoring data, respirator and dermal PPE usage, and environmental releases. EPA specifically asks whether the default of 350 operating days per site-year is appropriate for manufacturing facilities and requests data to refine exposure assumptions.
Final evaluation will drive TSCA section 6 decisions
After public comments and peer review, EPA will issue a final risk evaluation for 1,1,2-trichloroethane and must use that final evaluation under TSCA section 6 to determine whether the chemical presents an unreasonable risk. EPA will not consider costs or other non-risk factors during the risk evaluation.
Draft risk evaluation released; comments open
EPA released a draft risk evaluation for 1,1,2-trichloroethane and is asking the public to submit comments by September 28, 2026. The notice tells interested parties how to submit comments (Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0421) and warns not to submit Confidential Business Information through Regulations.gov.
Preliminary finding: unreasonable health risk
EPA preliminarily determined, based on the draft risk evaluation, that 1,1,2-trichloroethane poses an unreasonable risk to human health for certain conditions of use. The draft assessed risks to workers (including occupational non-users), consumers, the general population (including fenceline communities and potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations), and to aquatic and terrestrial species.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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