New York State Bans Cancer-Linked Solvent Used as Degreaser

New York has become the second state to ban the cancer-causing solvent trichloroethylene under legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo (D) on Wednesday approved the measure (S.6829B/A.8829A) which will prohibit the use of trichloroethylene as a vapor degreaser, as a refrigerant, as an intermediate to produce other chemicals, and as an extraction solvent in any other manufacturing or cleaning process.

The bill, passed by the state Legislature earlier this year, was set to take effect in December 2021, but Cuomo said he would delay the effective date to give more time to find “safe and effective” alternatives, ...