ASDWA Provides Support for EPA’s Proposal to Regulate PCE Under TSCA

On August 14, ASDWA submitted comments providing broad support for EPA’s proposed rule to regulate certain uses of perchloroethylene (PCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In line with numerous other comments to the Agency, ASDWA argues that a comprehensive and holistic risk assessment and evaluation approach is needed to consider potential impacts to drinking water, human health, and the environment. The association agrees with EPA’s conclusion that “TSCA is the only regulatory authority able to prevent or reduce unreasonable risk of PCE to a sufficient extent across the range of conditions of use, exposures and populations of concern.”

PCE has been regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) at five parts per billion since 1991, which ASDWA points to when asking EPA to “ensure that the Agency uses all its regulatory authorities, such as phasing out and limiting the uses of PCE under TSCA, to ensure this contaminant does not adversely impact sources used for drinking water.” ASDWA’s comments support EPA’s proposed 10-year phaseout of the use of PCE for dry-cleaning activities and asks the Agency to use its regulatory authorities to ensure that the 17 remaining uses of PCE do not adversely impact drinking water sources.