1. Home
  2. TCE
  3. Why Use a Trichloroethylene Substitute From Ecolink?

Why Use a Trichloroethylene Substitute From Ecolink?

Trichloroethylene — better known by its initialism, TCE — is a halocarbon popularly used as an industrial solvent, but it has a long history that includes various uses in different industries.

For example, TCE was used to extract vegetable oils in the 1920s. It temporarily replaced the anesthetics chloroform and ether in the 1940. And, as of 2000, the halocarbon was still used as an anesthetic in Africa. In the industrial sector, TCE’s legacy is as a highly effective degreaser.

TCE Today

Despite its varied history of use, one thing about TCE has remained the same: its toxicity to animals and humans. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), TCE exposure is related to a variety of health ailments that range from relatively minor to severe. Occupational studies reported from ATSDR show effects of acute and chronic exposure to the halocarbon, signaling the need for a non-toxic trichloroethylene substitute.

Acute exposure is associated with: negative central nervous system (CNS) effects, decreased appetite, gastrointestinal irritation, headaches, disturbance of mucous membranes, and skin irritation. Chronic exposure is associated with more worrisome occurrences: reduced number of word associations, ataxia, decreased appetite, headache, short-term memory loss, sleep disturbances, and vertigo. The higher the exposure limits to TCE, the more the conditions prevail.

EPA Action   

The dangerous health effects of TCE — only a small sample of which are listed above — moved the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue the following July 2015 news release: “EPA Reaches Agreement with Manufacturer to Stop Use of TCE in Spray Fixative Products Used on Arts and Crafts. EPA also taking regulatory action to reduce exposure to this chemical”

For industrial outfits that use a large volume of TCE and are familiar with how EPA regulations of hazardous chemicals work, the move to regulate the degreaser in industrial settings should become a priority. Businesses in the arts and crafts industry that use TCE as a spray fixative are already affected, but regulations typically proliferate to encompass all situations of industrial, high-volume use.

Replacements

The EPA’s recent regulation of TCE — limited though it may be — signals the perfect time to start looking for a trichloroethylene substitute. The EPA often moves slowly to ban dangerous chemicals, but it moves surely. Advanced warning of a scheduled regulation or ban is typically announced at least months in advance to give organizations time to find safer, suitable replacement solvents, such as the kind available from Ecolink.

Our Products

Ecolink manufacturers eco friendly, stock and custom trichloroethylene substitute solutions that offer as much efficacy — if not more — than the cleaner they replace. If one of our stock solvents doesn’t meet your requirements, we can produce a custom formulation that does.

To get started on selecting the right Trichloroethylene substitute for your degreasing operations, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to providing you with an environmentally preferred solution that’s better for the health of your workers.

 

 

 

Search here

Don’t forget to share this post!

Suggested Blog Posts

View all News
By Ecolink Team
White Oil Lubricant
Apr 23 2025

White Oil Lubricant: Discover Smooth Operations in Machinery

Machinery plays an enormous role in manufacturing. Without machines, many industries would struggle to meet production demands and would shut down. Businesses ensure...
By Ecolink Team
What Does the Military Use to Clean Weapons?
Apr 21 2025

What Does the Military Use to Clean Weapons? 3 Common Solutions

Just like with machines, it’s important that weapons are cleaned and well-maintained to prevent accidents from occurring.   In this blog post, we’re going to take a...
By Ecolink Team
PFAS MEANING DEFINITIONS
Apr 18 2025

PFAS Meaning & Definition: What You Need to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals’

What are PFAS chemicals? And why are they called “forever chemicals?”  If you find yourself asking these questions, you’re not alone. Research shows that 97% of...
By Ecolink Team
EPA PFAS NEWS
Apr 16 2025

Current State of PFAS Regulations: Chemical Alternatives with Ecolink

As more dangers of PFAS come to light, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to implement new strategies to minimize these toxic chemicals from...
By Ecolink Team
PFAS Regulations
Apr 14 2025

PFAS Regulations & Safer Alternatives: How Ecolink Helps You Make the Switch

Thinking about making the switch to greener chemicals?   You’ve come to the right place.  With new PFAS regulations being implemented to protect people and the...
By Ecolink Team
Hydrofluoroether solvent
Apr 12 2025

Discover the Power of Ecolink 4005: Your Ultimate Hydrofluoroether Cleaner

In today's world, finding effective and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions is more important than ever. At Ecolink, we are committed to providing innovative...
By Ecolink Team
Household Aerosols
Apr 11 2025

What Are Household Aerosols? Discover Their Uses, Risks, and Safer Alternatives

Not sure what household aerosols are? Should you avoid them all together?  In this blog post, we’re going to do a deep dive into aerosols, providing you definitions,...
By Ecolink Team
Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray
Apr 09 2025

Where to Buy Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray: Convenient & Efficient Cleaning

Electrically powered machinery plays a vital role in businesses and product production. For this machinery to operate, electrical contacts are needed. Electrical...
By Ecolink Team
US Tariffs on Chemical Imports
Apr 07 2025

Navigating US Tariffs: Ecolink’s Strategy for Mitigating Cost in Chemical Supply

Dear Ecolink community, We want to keep you informed about the evolving tariffs situation and its potential impact on our industry. As you may be aware, recent tariff...
By Ecolink Team
Parts Washer Solvents
Mar 31 2025

Parts Washer Solvent: Optimal Cleaning for Industrial Components

In industrial cleaning, parts washer solvents have become essential for achieving effective and meticulous cleaning of diverse components/machinery. These solvents are...
View all News