Table of Contents
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a significant milestone in chemical safety, finalizing rules to ban trichloroethylene (TCE) and restrict perchloroethylene (PCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (EPA, 2024). These two chemicals, long used in industries such as dry cleaning, adhesives, and degreasing, have been linked to severe health risks, including cancer and organ damage. While this regulatory action is a crucial step in safeguarding public health, it raises an essential question: how do we clean up the contamination left behind by decades of TCE and PCE use?
At Carus, we specialize in environmental solutions designed to tackle these very challenges. Our advanced remediation products provide effective and efficient methods to treat soil and groundwater contamination caused by TCE, PCE, and similar pollutants.
The Risks and Challenges of TCE and PCE
TCE and PCE have been identified as carcinogenic, posing significant risks to workers and nearby communities. According to the EPA, exposure to these substances can lead to cancer, immune system damage, and reproductive toxicity (EPA, 2024). Contamination often persists in soil and groundwater, particularly in areas surrounding dry cleaning facilities, industrial sites, and degreasing operations. These chemicals are dense and can migrate deep into the ground, creating challenging cleanup scenarios.
How Carus Solutions Remediate TCE and PCE
Carus provides a range of remediation solutions designed to address contamination effectively:
- In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO): ISCO involves introducing oxidizing agents directly into contaminated soil or groundwater to break down pollutants into less harmful byproducts.
- RemOx® S ISCO Reagent (Potassium Permanganate): A solid oxidizer used to treat high concentrations of contaminants. Potassium permanganate reacts with TCE and PCE to break their chemical bonds, rendering them harmless.
- RemOx® L ISCO Reagent (Sodium Permanganate): A liquid alternative that offers easy application in areas requiring precise delivery. Sodium permanganate penetrates porous soil and fractures in bedrock, effectively reaching contaminants trapped in difficult-to-access zones.
- Bioremediation with CAP 18® and CAP18 ME®: CAP 18 and CAP 18 ME are specialized bioremediation solutions that support the natural breakdown of contaminants like TCE and PCE by enhancing microbial activity in the subsurface. CAP 18 products deliver a long-lasting carbon source that stimulates the microbial degradation of chlorinated solvents, converting them into less harmful end products such as ethene and chloride.
How It Works
- Assessment and Design: The remediation process begins with a thorough site assessment. Carus works with environmental professionals to map contamination plumes and identify the depth and spread of TCE and PCE in soil and groundwater.
- Choosing the Right Solution: Based on site conditions, Carus’s experts determine whether an ISCO approach, bioremediation, or a combination of both is the most effective solution.
- Implementation: For ISCO, oxidizers like RemOx® S and RemOx® L are injected directly into contaminated zones to chemically break down pollutants. For bioremediation, CAP 18® and CAP 18 ME® are introduced to promote natural microbial processes that degrade contaminants over time.
- Monitoring and Adjustment: Post-treatment monitoring ensures the process is effective, and adjustments are made as needed to achieve remediation goals.
Supporting a Safer Future
Carus’s diverse range of remediation products, including RemOx® S, RemOx® L, CAP 18®, and CAP 18 ME®, offer proven solutions for addressing TCE and PCE contamination. By applying cutting-edge chemistry and bioremediation techniques, we help our clients remediate sites efficiently and responsibly, protecting the environment and communities from legacy pollutants.
As the EPA continues to advance chemical safety regulations, Carus remains committed to supporting industries and municipalities in cleaning up contamination and paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future.
Sources
Environmental Protection Agency. “Biden-Harris Administration Announces Latest Actions Under Nation’s Chemical Safety Law.” November 2024. EPA.gov.