No one should have to worry that their home or workplace exposes them to harmful chemicals, yet millions of Americans are exposed to cancer-causingtrichloroethylene, or TCE. A recent federalTCE ban aims to save lives – but nowsome in Congress want toundo it.
If they succeed, the consequences will be devastating: more cancer cases, more babies born with fetal heart defects and more families burdened with lifelong suffering, all from preventable TCE exposure. The chemical, which is found in drinking water and air, is also proven to causeliver andkidney cancer and increase the risk ofnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Why the EPA’s ban matters
The EPA finalized itslong-overdue ban on most uses of the chemical in 2024, estimating itwill save millions of dollars each year by preventing illnesses linked to TCE exposure. Thefinancial benefits include:
$23 million per yearin healthcare savings over the next 20 years
Lower medical bills, fewer hospitalizations and reduced need for lifelong treatment
Less financial hardship for families dealing with TCE-related illnesses
Even with cautious estimates, the TCE ban will save at least $9 million each year in healthcare costs by reducing cancer cases and related treatments.
It also means fewer families losingloved ones to cancer, fewer infants facing lifelong health complications, and fewer cases of reproductive harm and neurological disorders.
Protecting workers and pregnant women
The TCE ban will have an immediate impact on the health of workers and their families. Every year, tens of thousands of workers in manufacturing, cleaning and metal degreasing industries are exposed to TCE on the job – includingmore than 1,100 pregnant women every year.
TCE in the bloodstream can cross the placenta and exposure during the first few weeks of pregnancy -- when a baby’s heart is forming -- can more than double the risk of severe heart defects.
The financial burden of caring for infants with TCE-related cardiac issues is staggering.
According to the EPA, each hospital stay for a baby with a severe heart defect costs an average of $41,000 - and for more critical cases, the cost climbs to nearly $80,000. Families also face years of specialist visits, therapies and medications. The emotional toll can be far worse: no parent should have to watch their child struggle with a preventable condition caused by avoidable chemical exposure.
By banning TCE, the EPA is sparing families from both financial hardship and emotional heartbreak -- costs that cannot be easily quantified but are nonetheless profound.
Preventing chronic diseases
The agency’s ban will also prevent thousands of Americans from developing a range of other serious health issues like neurodegenerative diseases, includingParkinson’s disease,the fastest-growing neurological disease that robs individuals of their mobility.
Studies show that people exposed to TCE are up tosix times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Eventwo years of heavy exposure to TCE can increase the risk by 70 percent.
Beyond Parkinson’s, TCE is associated with neurological damage, including headaches, dizziness and cognitive decline. It is also linked to reproductive harm, like reducing sperm density and quality, and may also affect hormone levels, potentially contributing to infertility.
Millions are exposed every day
TCE is widespread, putting millions of Americans at risk without their knowledge. Over17 million people have TCE in theirtap water, and in some areas, toxic vapors seep into homes, contaminating indoor air.
Industrial releases affect hundreds of communities, especially in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee.
Military bases are particularly affected, with the Department of Defense confirming TCE contamination at1,400 bases, includingCamp Lejeune, where generations ofservice members and their families were unknowingly exposed.
Safer alternatives are available
Safer alternatives to TCE, like alcohol- and water-based cleaners, are already in use and have caused no disruption to industries that once relied on the toxic chemical.
When Minnesotabanned TCE in 2020, over 130 companies switched to safer options without disruption. The European Unionphased out TCE by 2016.
In the U.S., TCE use is already declining, with industrial releases dropping by over 60 percent in the last decade. Repealing the ban would be a step backward, exposing people to a chemical that can easily be replaced.
What you can do
Some lawmakers are trying tooverturn the EPA’s ban, prioritizing corporate profits over human health.
We can’t let profit-driven politics put millions of lives at risk. The fight to protect the TCE ban is far from over. Here’s how you can help:
Contact your senators and representatives: Urge them to oppose any resolution that would weaken or repeal the TCE ban.
Raise awareness: Use your social media platforms to raise awareness about TCE’s dangers and the public health consequences of reversing the ban. Share the facts about TCE’s dangers with your family, friends and community.
Support advocacy groups: Organizations like EWG andThe Michael J. Fox Foundationare defending the ban to protect public health.
The TCE ban is a public health issue, not a partisan one.
Repealing the ban would be a callous betrayal of public safety, exposing millions to a toxic chemical linked to cancer, birth defects and chronic illness. Congress must stand with the EPA and keep this vital protection in place. Hearts and lives depend on it.