TECHNICAL BULLETIN: EPA Releases Final Risk Evaluation on Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchloroethylene (PCE)
Wilcox has continued to support and provide feedback to IDEM during its efforts to rollout the R21. We have also, quite eagerly, been anticipating this release by EPA of the final risk evaluation on trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). Under TSCA (Toxic Substances Control), the EPA is required to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to existing chemicals in commerce using the best available science. The EPA must then take action to address any unreasonable risks identified. After evaluating the various conditions of use, (TCE has 54 conditions of use and PCE has 61), EPA has determined that TCE presents an unreasonable risk under 52 out of 54 conditions of use and PCE presents an unreasonable risk under 59 out of 61 conditions of use.
Now that EPA has issued the final risk evaluations, meeting the requirements of TSCA section 6(b), now EPA must initiate the process to address these unreasonable risks identified for each. EPA has two years following the issuance of the final risk evaluation to address, by rule, the unreasonable risks identified.
Wilcox will continue to follow, support, and provide feedback on the efforts by both the EPA and IDEM to protect human health and the environment.
For more information on these Final Risk Evaluations, please visit:
https://www.in.gov/idem/cleanups/2449.htm
R21: Risk-based Closure Guide (R2, https://www.in.gov/idem/cleanups/2449.htm)
About the Author:
Heather Rochford
Ms. Rochford joined Wilcox in 2016 as a Project Manager in the Investigation and Remediation Services Division and was promoted to Senior Project Manager in 2018.
Ms. Rochford holds a B.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Purdue University, an M.S. Environmental Science from Indiana University with a concentration in Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment, and has been an environmental consultant for more than 18 years. During that time, she has been active in the Midwest States Environmental Consultants Association and developed wide-ranging expertise, providing technical analysis and planning remediation activities for soil and groundwater impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons, organic solvents, and toxic metals at commercial and industrial sites, as well as management and disposal oversight of hazardous waste.
