U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of a widely used solvent, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing its draft risk evaluation. 1,1,2‑Trichloroethane is a colorless liquid used mainly in industry as a solvent and as a building block to make other chemicals. Because it can evaporate into air and, if spilled, seep into soil and groundwater, people may be exposed at work, near industrial sites, or through contaminated drinking water. Evaluating its risks is important to understand how it may affect the nervous system and organs like the liver and kidneys, and to check for any long‑term health concerns. Evaluating the chemical across all of these pathways is how EPA determines where new protections are needed and where existing safeguards are sufficient to set protections so workers, communities and families have safe air, land and water.
Using gold standard science — including real-world monitoring data, exposure modeling and systematic review — the draft identifies significant contributions to unreasonable risk to workers from dermal and inhalation exposure for 10 occupational conditions of use. The draft did not find unreasonable risk to consumers, the general population or the environment.
These are draft findings, and EPA wants feedback. The 60-day public comment period is a critically important step; it is how EPA hears from independent experts, workers, communities and the public so that the final evaluation reflects the largest possible universe of gold standard science and is fully protective. In addition to the public comment period, the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) will be reviewing the hazard and exposure technical support documents that informed the draft risk evaluation at its August meeting.
All current protections for 1,1,2-trichloroethane remain in place while EPA completes this review; releasing a draft does not alter any existing safeguards. After peer review and public comment, EPA will move promptly to finalize the evaluation. If EPA continues to find unreasonable risk, it will propose risk management actions under TSCA section 6(a) to reduce or eliminate those exposures in workplaces, on a clear and accountable timeline.
This evaluation is draft and does not represent EPA’s final determination regarding the risks posed by this chemical; findings and conclusions may change based on feedback received during public comment and peer review.
Upon publication of the Federal Register notice announcing availability, EPA will accept public comments for 60 days in the 1,1,2-trichloroethane TSCA docket (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-2246) on www.regulations.gov. EPA will carefully consider all input before finalizing the evaluation in accordance with TSCA requirements.
