EWG Investigation | U.S. Tap Water Quality Database

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• EPA set legal limit which balances health concerns and treatment costs

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EWG INVESTIGATION

Findings

About The Data

News Release

EWG Statement, 03/10/2008

1,1,2-Trichloroethane

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

1,1,2-Trichloroethane is a pollutant from various industrial chemical factories. Potential health impacts associated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane include cancer, cardiovascular or blood toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, and skin sensitivity. [read more]

Sources of 1,1,2-Trichloroethane:
Industry Industry

An Environmental Working Group analysis of 1,1,2-Trichloroethane tests reported by 31,909 public water suppliers in 42 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 1.3 million people in 32 communities drank water contaminated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane. In 4 of these communities, tap water was contaminated at levels above health-based thresholds.

Exposure Summary

1,293,381
People drinking water contaminated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
32
Communities served water contaminated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
13,283
People drinking water contaminated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane over health based limits
4
Communities served water with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane above health based limits

Table. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane Exposure by State

13 thousand Americans in 3 states were served tap water contaminated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane at levels above health-based limits between 1998 and 2003.

State Water suppliers with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane contamination Water suppliers reporting 1,1,2-Trichloroethane above health-based limits
Systems Population Systems Population
California 4 120,159 2 9,210
North Carolina 4 18,562 1 4,023
New Hampshire 1 50 1 50
Florida 4 506,364 0 0
Kentucky 1 279,214 0 0
Delaware 1 200,000 0 0
Pennsylvania 2 124,710 0 0
Indiana 1 12,861 0 0
Minnesota 3 11,224 0 0
New Jersey 2 10,672 0 0
Nebraska 1 6,350 0 0
Washington 1 1,700 0 0
Colorado 5 860 0 0
Missouri 1 505 0 0
Alaska 1 150 0 0
Total 32 1,293,381 4 13,283

Table. The most polluted communities

13,000 Americans in 4 communities were served tap water contaminated with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane above health based limits between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average 1,1,2-Trichloroethane level

Rank System Population Served Positive test results of total reported tests Average Level
(Range)
1 Green Hills Mhp
Barrington, NH 50 1 of 1 14 ppb
(14 to 14 ppb)
2 Nevada Id - Smartville
Grass Valley, CA 109 1 of 5 1.48 ppb
(0 to 7.4 ppb)
3 Maiden Water Treatment Plant
Maiden, NC 4,023 1 of 5 0.69 ppb
(0 to 3.44 ppb)
4 East Pasadena Water Company
Pasadena, CA 9,101 1 of 13 0.68 ppb
(0 to 8.8 ppb)

Health based limits for 1,1,2-Trichloroethane

Health Limit Limit Value Limit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) 5 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) 3 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 60 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.
EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria 0.59 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 600 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 400 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.
Lifetime health-based limit, non-cancer risk 3 ppb Concentration 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 Level 100 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 1,1,2-Trichloroethane

Water suppliers report an average of 0.7 1,1,2-Trichloroethane tests per year. 7,842 water suppliers failed to report any 1,1,2-Trichloroethane tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for 1,1,2-Trichloroethane by federal law? Yes
Water suppliers reporting tests for 1,1,2-Trichloroethane (1998-2003): 31,909 of 39,751
Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): 0.7 per year

1,1,2-Trichloroethane Violations

Table. 5.0 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for 1,1,2-Trichloroethane between 1998 and 2003

Violation Type Violations Systems
Any Violation (1998-2003) 4,689 2,845
(5.0% of all suppliers)
Testing violations (1998-2003) 4,687 2,845
(5.0% of all suppliers)
Reporting violations (1998-2003) 2 1
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)