Krishnamoorthi Calls on EPA to Reverse Delays to Worker Safety Protections for Cancer-Causing Chemicals

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today called on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to immediately reverse newly announced delays to critical worker safety protections for hazardous chemicals, warning that the move weakens safeguards against known carcinogens and other toxic substances and puts workers and families at greater risk of preventable harm.

In a letter sent Tuesday to Administrator Zeldin, Krishnamoorthi raised alarm over the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to postpone compliance deadlines for safeguards covering perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC), two highly toxic chemicals linked to cancer, organ damage, and other serious long-term health effects.

The delayed safeguards were finalized in 2024 under the bipartisan Toxic Substances Control Act and were specifically designed to protect workers routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals on the job. The letter comes amid broader concerns that the EPA is reconsidering multiple chemical risk management rules finalized under the Biden Administration.

"I am writing to express serious concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s recent decision to delay critical worker protection deadlines for hazardous chemicals, including perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC)," Krishnamoorthi wrote. "By postponing these safeguards, the EPA is weakening protections for workers, families, and surrounding communities and departing from its core mission to protect public health rather than advance industry interests."

Krishnamoorthi underscored in the letter that PCE is a well-documented carcinogen linked to liver, kidney, brain, and testicular cancers, as well as severe damage to the nervous, immune, and reproductive systems. The letter also notes that carbon tetrachloride has been associated with liver cancer, brain tumors, and serious damage to other organs and bodily systems.

"The EPA, under your leadership, is undermining the Workplace Chemical Protection Program by extending compliance deadlines specifically designed to shield workers from dangerous chemical exposure," Krishnamoorthi continued. "These delays directly postpone the implementation of critical safeguards for those most at risk, including workers who handle hazardous substances every day."

The letter further warns that the decision reflects a broader pattern of delays to worker safety rules for multiple toxic chemicals.

"At a time when the science is clear and the dangers are well documented, any further delay only prolongs preventable harm and erodes the integrity of the protections established under the Toxic Substances Control Act," Krishnamoorthi wrote.

"I urge the EPA to immediately reverse its decision to extend these deadlines and fully implement the strong protections established in 2024," Krishnamoorthi concluded. "Workers and families across the country deserve decisive action-not yet another delay-on safeguards specifically designed to prevent cancer, chronic disease, and toxic exposure."

The letter is available here.