EPA Bans Toxic TCE to Protect Michigan’s Groundwater

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a nationwide ban on trichloroethylene (TCE), a soil and groundwater contaminant found at over 300 sites in Michigan.  TCE is commonly used as a solvent to remove grease from metal parts during the manufacturing process.  It is also found in consumer products such as adhesives, paint removers, lubricants, varnishes, and pesticides.

TCE is carcinogenic to humans, and exposure may lead to coma, nerve damage, or death.  Chemical spills can contaminate the soil and groundwater, eventually making their way into the drinking water supply through public and private wells.

TCE is slow to degrade and time-consuming to mitigate.  The largest polluted site in the state is in Mancelona, Michigan, where 13 million gallons of groundwater have been contaminated.  The Grand Traverse Bay has also been impacted, with 9 million gallons of groundwater contaminated by the toxic chemical.

You can read the full story on For Love of Water’s site at forloveofwater.org/epa-bans-toxic-tce-which-has-plagued-michigans-groundwater.