Risk Evaluation for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
In June 2026, EPA released the draft human health and environmental hazard assessments for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene. EPA designated trans-1,2-dichloroethylene as a high priority chemical in December 2019 and the chemical is currently undergoing risk evaluation.
Find other information about other chemicals undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA.
On this page:
- What is trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene?
- Uses of trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
- Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment
- Draft Supporting Documents
What is trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene?
Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (CASRN 156-60-5) is a colorless liquid, with a sharp, harsh odor, and is highly flammable. The primary uses for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene are as a solvent in processing and in formulations for cleaning and degreasing. Information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene indicates the reported production volume is between 1 million and 10 million lbs/year.
Uses of trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
In the final scope, EPA identified conditions of use associated with the manufacturing (including importing); processing; distribution in commerce; industrial, commercial and consumer uses; and disposal of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, for example:
- As an intermediate in chemical product manufacture;
- As a solvent for cleaning and degreasing;
- As a propellant and blowing agent;
- As a reactant for plating and surface treating agents;
- In adhesives and sealants;
- In spot cleaners and stain removers;
- In lubricants and greases;
- In refrigerants; and
- In aerosol and non-aerosol degreasers.
The above listed conditions of use are ways that a person or the environment could be potentially exposed to this chemical. However, when conducting a risk evaluation, EPA also considers the hazards (i.e. health effects or environmental impacts) that could occur from coming in contact with a chemical.
Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment
In June 2026, EPA released the draft human health and environmental hazard assessment for peer review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, EPA will accept public comments on these documents in the peer review docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-2246 on www.regulations.gov until July 23, 2026. These documents, along with the draft risk evaluations for these chemicals, will also be available for public comment in separate TSCA dockets later this year.
In August 2020, EPA published a final scope document outlining the hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations the agency expects to consider in its risk evaluation. The agency released the draft scope in April 2020 and took public comments on the draft document.
- Read the final scope of the risk evaluation for this chemical and EPA’s response to comments on the draft scope.
- View the docket for this chemical, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0465 on www.regulations.gov.
As EPA continues to move through the risk evaluation process there will be additional opportunities for public comment, including a public comment period on the draft risk evaluation. In addition to public comment periods, EPA will continue to engage with stakeholders as it refines the risk evaluation and stakeholders should reach out to EPA via the staff contact to engage with the agency.
Draft Supporting Documents
Read a pre-publication of the Federal Register Notice and view the supporting documents in EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-2246.
- Draft Human Health and Environmental Hazard Assessment for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Data Quality Evaluation Information for Human Health Hazard Epidemiology for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Data Quality Evaluation Information for Dermal Absorption for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Data Quality Evaluation Information for Human Health Hazard Animal Toxicology for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Data Quality Evaluation Information for Environmental Hazard for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Data Extraction Information for Environmental Hazard and Human Health Hazard Animal Toxicology and Epidemiology for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Benchmark Dose Modeling Results for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (pdf)
- Draft Mammalian TRV Calculator for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (xlsx)
- Tool Settings and Analog List for Environmental Hazard Assessment for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (xlsx)
- Draft Dermal Absorption Calculations for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (xlsx)