In Alaska, we seek to protect our precious lands and waters, ensure the health of our fish, wildlife and communities. However, lurking beneath our feet and flowing through our waters is a toxic legacy — one that threatens our health and our ways of life.
Trichloroethylene (TCE), a known carcinogen, has contaminated sites across our state, poisoning drinking water and endangering families. Now, just as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally acted to ban this dangerous chemical, some lawmakers want to undermine public health protections and keep it in use. We cannot let that happen.
TCE, a metal degreaser also used in chemical manufacturing, and in some consumer products like adhesives and paint removers, is not an abstract threat — it is a real and ongoing danger in Alaska. At the Eklutna Army Site, TCE has leached into the wetlands and surrounding water sources. Near Fairbanks, the Arctic Surplus Superfund site is still dealing with the toxic aftermath of TCE contamination. At Eielson Air Force Base, the chemical has been detected in groundwater, requiring continued monitoring and mitigation efforts. At the former Galena Air Force Station, TCE contaminates soil and groundwater. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a larger pattern of toxic exposure that has plagued communities across Alaska and the country for generations.
TCE is linked to devastating health effects. It increases the risk of kidney and liver cancer, leukemia, and nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Long-term exposure has been associated with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Pregnant women exposed to TCE are more likely to have children with heart defects and autoimmune disorders. And TCE doesn’t just harm those directly exposed — it breaks down into vinyl chloride, another potent carcinogen.
Despite these well-documented dangers, the chemical industry and its allies in Congress are attempting to use the Congressional Review Act to dismantle EPA’s ban on TCE. This reckless move favors corporate profits over public health and reverses one of the most significant health protections in recent years. Even Trump’s EPA acknowledged that TCE poses an unreasonable risk to people’s health in virtually all uses. The EPA then last year finally took action to eradicate those risks, giving many companies years to transition to safer alternatives.
As some lawmakers want to keep this poison in our communities, they argue that banning TCE will be costly for businesses and disrupt industries that rely on the chemical, particularly in manufacturing and degreasing operations. Critics of the ban recite corporate lobbying talking points about threats to national security, and say that replacing TCE with safer alternatives could be expensive and burdensome. But many companies have already transitioned, and releases of the chemical are in decline, though still quite high. Public health should not be sacrificed for short-term industry convenience, particularly because we know over 18 million in the country are exposed to TCE in contaminated drinking water in 43 states.
The fact is we are at a crossroads. Alaska’s congressional delegation must take a stand. Our state has long fought for clean water and clean air. We call upon Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan and Rep. Begich to protect our waters, fish, wildlife, and health by upholding the TCE ban. Will we allow corporate lobbyists — who have no stake in our health or our future — to dictate the health and safety of our families. Now is the time to decide. If Congress repeals the TCE ban, it will be extremely difficult to reinstate similar protections, leaving countless Alaskans and people throughout the country vulnerable to future harm. That must not stand.
Pamela Miller is executive director and senior scientist with Alaska Community Action on Toxics. Alaska Community Action on Toxics is a statewide environmental health and justice research and advocacy organization.
