EPA Bans 2 Chemicals in Dry Cleaning Products Known to Cause Cancer

(CNN) – The Environmental Protection Agency has banned two carcinogenic dry cleaning solvents.

Trichlorethylene, or TCE, is a toxic chemical used in cleaners, stain removers, lubricants and glue.

It is known to cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as damage the nervous system and immune system.

The EPA ban includes all uses of TCE.

The agency also prohibits consumer use of perchlorethylene, also called PERC.

This chemical is also used in dry cleaning and car care products.

PERC is known to cause liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer.