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National Contaminant Report

1,1,1-Trichloroethane

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

1,1,1-Trichloroethane is a pollutant from metal degreasing sites and other factories. Potential health impacts associated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane include cardiovascular or blood toxicity, developmental toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and skin sensitivity. [read more]

Sources of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane:
IndustryIndustry

An Environmental Working Group analysis of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane tests reported by 31,917 public water suppliers in 42 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 9.9 million people in 236 communities drank water contaminated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane. In 1 of these communities, tap water was contaminated at levels above health-based thresholds.

Exposure Summary

9,945,685

People drinking water contaminated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

236

Communities served water contaminated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

76

People drinking water contaminated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane over health based limits

1

Community served water with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane above health based limits


Table. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Exposure by State

76 Americans in 1 states were served tap water contaminated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane at levels above health-based limits between 1998 and 2003.

StateWater suppliers with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane contaminationWater suppliers reporting 1,1,1-Trichloroethane above health-based limits
SystemsPopulationSystemsPopulation
New York22,830176
California165,986,06200
Pennsylvania421,033,65200
New Jersey20794,22300
Washington10515,69200
Wisconsin22282,83100
Indiana10222,74500
Delaware3211,50200
Illinois17183,58300
Arizona1180,00000
Nebraska573,00700
Iowa371,46200
Michigan1060,95500
Minnesota456,29000
Colorado349,76100
New Hampshire1140,79000
North Dakota237,98400
Florida337,04300
Alabama428,20000
North Carolina1227,37500
Nevada317,46700
Ohio59,84300
Kentucky26,03000
Texas35,35600
Arkansas23,24800
New Mexico42,27300
Tennessee11,35900
Wyoming11,06700
Alaska41,01100
Idaho368500
South Carolina157300
Missouri125000
Maine324400
Oklahoma116000
Montana19000
South Dakota14200
Total2369,945,685176

Table. The most polluted communities

76 Americans in 1 communities were served tap water contaminated with 1,1,1-Trichloroethane above health based limits between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average 1,1,1-Trichloroethane level

RankSystem Population Served Positive test results of total reported tests Average Level
(Range)
1Quality Mobile Home Park
Plattsburgh, NY
761 of 1500 ppb
(500 to 500 ppb)

  

Health based limits for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

Health LimitLimit ValueLimit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL)200 ppbThe 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)200 ppbA 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.
Children's health-based limit for 1-day exposure100000 ppbConcentration 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 exposure40000 ppbConcentration 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.
Lifetime health-based limit, non-cancer risk200 ppbConcentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for a lifetime of exposure. The Lifetime health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is based on exposure for a a 70-kg adult consuming 2 liters of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Drinking Water Equivalent Level1000 ppbA 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 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

Water suppliers report an average of 0.7 1,1,1-Trichloroethane tests per year. 7,834 water suppliers failed to report any 1,1,1-Trichloroethane tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane by federal law?Yes
Water suppliers reporting tests for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (1998-2003):31,917 of 39,751
Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003):0.7 per year


1,1,1-Trichloroethane Violations

Table. 5.0 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane between 1998 and 2003

Violation TypeViolationsSystems
Any Violation (1998-2003)4,7162,854
(5.0% of all suppliers)
Testing violations (1998-2003)4,7122,854
(5.0% of all suppliers)
Reporting violations (1998-2003)21
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)
Violations of tap water pollution standards (1998-2003)21
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)