On December 9, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ban on two chemicals found in everyday products that can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. They are trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE).

Announcing the new rule, Assistant Administrator for the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Michal Freedhoff, said: "We cannot continue to allow the use of carcinogenic chemicals in products like glues, dry cleaners or stain removers when there are safer alternatives."

These regulations are based on the best available science demonstrating the harmful effects of PCE and TCE, Mr. Freedhoff said.

According to the EPA, both PCE and TCE are nonflammable chlorinated solvents and volatile organic compounds. PCE is biodegradable to TCE, and PCE may contain small amounts of TCE as an impurity or contaminant.

TCE is a highly toxic chemical that causes liver cancer, kidney cancer, and lymphoma. TCE also causes damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive organs, and heart defects in fetuses.

Meanwhile, PCE causes liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer, as well as damage to the kidneys, liver, immune system, nervous system and reproductive organs.