EWG Investigation | U.S. Tap Water Quality Database

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EWG INVESTIGATION

Findings

About The Data

News Release

EWG Statement, 03/10/2008

1,1-Dichloroethylene

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Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.

1,1-Dichloroethylene is a pollutant from producing adhesives, synthetic fibers, refrigerants, and plastic wraps. Potential health impacts associated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene include cancer, cardiovascular or blood toxicity, developmental toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin sensitivity. [read more]

Sources of 1,1-Dichloroethylene:
Industry Industry

An Environmental Working Group analysis of 1,1-Dichloroethylene tests reported by 31,902 public water suppliers in 42 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 9.7 million people in 138 communities drank water contaminated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene. In 103 of these communities, tap water was contaminated at levels above health-based thresholds.

Exposure Summary

9,745,402
People drinking water contaminated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene
138
Communities served water contaminated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene
5,505,679
People drinking water contaminated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene over health based limits
103
Communities served water with 1,1-Dichloroethylene above health based limits

Table. 1,1-Dichloroethylene Exposure by State

5.5 million Americans in 25 states were served tap water contaminated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene at levels above health-based limits between 1998 and 2003.

State Water suppliers with 1,1-Dichloroethylene contamination Water suppliers reporting 1,1-Dichloroethylene above health-based limits
Systems Population Systems Population
California 37 7,295,268 21 4,657,405
Alabama 6 263,380 6 263,380
Illinois 4 169,656 2 153,856
Nebraska 5 94,132 5 94,132
Florida 9 377,633 7 65,016
Minnesota 2 55,675 2 55,675
New Jersey 8 516,906 4 53,830
Pennsylvania 15 97,930 9 39,069
Colorado 2 38,827 2 38,827
North Carolina 16 28,276 16 28,276
Indiana 2 77,055 1 14,955
Wisconsin 2 13,331 2 13,331
New Hampshire 10 13,208 10 13,208
Tennessee 2 6,466 2 6,466
South Carolina 3 3,498 3 3,498
Texas 1 2,438 1 2,438
Missouri 1 1,272 1 1,272
Virginia 2 490 2 490
Oklahoma 2 2,660 1 160
Arizona 1 143 1 143
New York 1 98 1 98
Washington 3 486,956 1 50
Nevada 1 40 1 40
Michigan 1 40 1 40
Ohio 1 24 1 24
Delaware 1 200,000 0 0
Total 138 9,745,402 103 5,505,679

Table. The most polluted communities

5.5 million Americans in 103 communities were served tap water contaminated with 1,1-Dichloroethylene above health based limits between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average 1,1-Dichloroethylene level

Rank System Population Served Positive test results of total reported tests Average Level
(Range)
1 North Greenbush Water District# 1
Wynantskill, NY 98 1 of 1 106 ppb
(106 to 106 ppb)
2 Town of Liberty Water
Liberty, NC 2,800 2 of 7 14.57 ppb
(0 to 70 ppb)
3 Green Hills Mhp
Barrington, NH 50 6 of 6 7.03 ppb
(4.4 to 9.4 ppb)
4 Saraland Water Service
Saraland, AL 12,837 13 of 19 4.14 ppb
(0 to 8.2 ppb)
5 Northern View Apts
Stewartstown, NH 50 1 of 1 3.4 ppb
(3.4 to 3.4 ppb)
6 Pineview S / D
Greensboro, NC 56 7 of 7 2.98 ppb
(1.8 to 4.38 ppb)
7 Sothern California Water Company (SCWC)
Santa Fe Springs, CA 33,350 93 of 188 2.9 ppb
(0 to 40.8 ppb)
8 Meltons Mhp
Lancaster, SC 55 7 of 7 2.66 ppb
(1.8 to 3.54 ppb)
9 Tanglewood Estates S / D
Charlotte, NC 309 4 of 6 2.28 ppb
(0 to 5.5 ppb)
10 Bet's
Bow, WA 50 14 of 14 2.24 ppb
(1.6 to 2.7 ppb)

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Health based limits for 1,1-Dichloroethylene

Health Limit Limit Value Limit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) 7 ppb The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) 7 ppb A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
One in ten thousand (10-4) Cancer Risk 6 ppb The concentration of a chemical in drinking water corresponding to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 in 10,000. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
California Public Health Goals 10 ppb Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health.
EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria 0.06 ppb Water quality criteria set by the US EPA provide guidance for states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect human health. These are non-enforceable standards based upon exposure by both drinking water and the contribution of water contamination to other consumed foods. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Children's health-based limit for 1-day exposure 2000 ppb Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for up to one day of exposure. The One-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Children's health-based limit for 10-day exposure 1000 ppb Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure. The Ten-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Drinking Water Equivalent Level 2000 ppb A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from drinking water. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Testing Summary for 1,1-Dichloroethylene

Water suppliers report an average of 0.7 1,1-Dichloroethylene tests per year. 7,849 water suppliers failed to report any 1,1-Dichloroethylene tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for 1,1-Dichloroethylene by federal law? Yes
Water suppliers reporting tests for 1,1-Dichloroethylene (1998-2003): 31,902 of 39,751
Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): 0.7 per year

1,1-Dichloroethylene Violations

Table. 4.9 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for 1,1-Dichloroethylene between 1998 and 2003

Violation Type Violations Systems
Any Violation (1998-2003) 4,675 2,818
(4.9% of all suppliers)
Testing violations (1998-2003) 4,665 2,815
(4.9% of all suppliers)
Reporting violations (1998-2003) 2 1
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)
Violations of tap water pollution standards (1998-2003) 8 4
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)