A major chemical company is suing EPA over its three most recent rules restricting chemical uses under the federal toxics law.
Olin, the nation’s leading chlorine producer, filed three petitions in the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over the past several days. They appear to be the first legal challenges against EPA’s trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) risk management rules, each released last month.
All uses of TCE, a known human carcinogen used as a solvent in dry cleaning products and in other industrial applications, would be phased out under the agency’s rule. TCE is notorious for its role as the main pollutant in “A Civil Action,” a 1995 novel by Jonathan Harr turned into a 1998 film starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall that chronicled the true story of water contamination in Woburn, Massachusetts.
The rule on PCE, a probable human carcinogen also used in dry cleaning, is less stringent; only some uses would be banned, while others would be allowed to continue under stronger workplace protections.
