EPA awards $350K to Toxics Use Reduction Institute

LOWELL, Massachusetts – To better protect the environment and public health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $350,000 to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell to implement new technology and industry-based outreach by advancing a key initiative to reduce the use of the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE).

A toxic chemical, TCE in drinking water was linked to a cluster of childhood cancers and other health crises some 40 years ago in Woburn, Massachusetts. Those events were later featured in “A Civil Action,” a book and movie that recounted a class-action lawsuit by affected families. In 1989, the eradication of TCE served as a catalyst for establishing TURI, and the widespread use of the chemical has informed the organization’s enduring mission to reduce the use of carcinogens and other toxic substances in industrial applications.

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grant will establish a Vacuum Degreasing Hub focused on identifying, optimizing and validating safer alternatives to TCE and other toxic solvents. Vacuum vapor degreasing is a closed-system cleaning process that utilizes fresh solvent vapors to effectively clean contaminated units without exposure to the surrounding work environment.

“This support from the EPA enables us to develop the Vacuum Vapor Degreasing Hub. The project represents a significant step forward in our commitment to strategies that minimize the use of toxic substances. By replacing these hazardous solvents, we aim to enhance public health and protect the environment,” said David Turcotte, TURI’s interim director.

While vacuum degreasing systems are commonly offered by equipment vendors, TURI’s lab will be among the few facilities dedicated to independent testing. Further enhancing its capabilities, the TURI Vacuum Degreasing Hub will now accommodate flammable solvents, marking a pivotal shift from traditional reliance on toxic halogenated solvents.

“This endeavor underscores the importance of transitioning away from hazardous substances and adopting best practices in cleaning processes,” said Jason Marshall, TURI’s laboratory director. “We look forward to collaborating with businesses and serving as a central resource for information on safer alternatives, best practices and case studies.”

Additionally, TURI’s Vacuum Degreasing Hub will deliver critical training for potential TCE users in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. This initiative will involve collaboration with pollution prevention groups and industries across New England to ensure validation of the cleaning process.

Aligning with the institute’s “Drive to Zero” campaign, which aims to completely phase out the use of TCE and similar harmful solvents, this grant allows TURI to educate stakeholders and demonstrate the successful implementation of vacuum degreasing systems as safe alternatives to hazardous solvents.

“This grant enhances our ability to champion safer alternatives to toxic solvents, thereby advancing our mission to protect worker health, public health and the environment,” said TURI Research Director Greg Morose. “Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to lead by example and demonstrate the potential of safer practices in industrial applications.”