MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. - The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the use of the toxic chemicals trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) will be prohibited. 

Experts confirmed TCE and PCE, which are commonly used in the automotive, dry cleaning and manufacturing industries, are toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other severe illnesses. 

Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said the chemicals have been monitored by the EPA for decades. Based on the evidence and research collected, Freedhoff said it's time for businesses across the country to explore safer alternatives.

“The EPA put TCE, PCE and eight other chemicals on its list of the first 10 chemicals that they were going to do these multi-year risk evaluations on," Freedhoff said. "We’re phasing out the use of PCE in other dry cleaners. So, the machines have a finite lifetime, and as they reach the end of their natural lifetime, the PCE used in those machines will end.”

Erica Christy, an Otisville native, said she dry cleans her husband's clothes every 90 days.

"It’s usually a suit, a tie and dress shirts," Christy said. “It’s just safer on the fabric, or I think that’s what we’ve been told, that it’s better for the fabric for long-lasting wear.”

While some New Yorkers prefer dry cleaning for convenience, others believe the process helps protect their garments from the wear and tear of washing and drying machines.

Experts from the EPA are raising awarness about some of the chemicals used in dry-cleaning services, specifically for stain and grease removal.

When it comes to dry cleaning services, consumers like Christy told Spectrum News 1 she appreciates the research and precautions EPA experts are taking to help save more people and the environment. 

“My family was actually in the autobody business for many, many years," Christy said. "From paint chemicals and things like that, my grandfather ended up passing away from COPD and a lot of life-threatening things that affected the last 30-40 years of his life.”

Through the Toxic Chemicals Control Act, the EPA requires reporting, record-keeping, testing requirements and regulations pertaining to chemical substances like TCE and PCE.