1,2-Dichloroethane

Central Arkansas Water

1,2-Dichloroethane is a volatile carcinogenic chemical used to make plastic products such as polyvinyl chloride. Read More.

Also known as ethylene dichloride, it has been widely used as an intermediate for manufacturing other chemicals and as a solvent. 1,2-Dichloroethane causes multiple types of cancer in animal studies, and damages liver, kidneys, and the immune and nervous systems. The EPA classifies 1,2-dichloroethane as a probable human carcinogen.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	ND	2	ND
2015	ND	2	ND
2016	ND	2	ND
2017	ND	2	ND
2018	ND	2	ND
2019	ND	2	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for 1,2-dichloroethane was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 5 ppb

The legal limit for 1,2-dichloroethane, established in 1987, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to 1,2-dichloroethane exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-01-29	14030009201	ND
2014-07-03	14184014401	ND
2015-03-10	15070000601	ND
2015-07-06	15190001109	ND
2016-02-01	16036001502	ND
2016-07-05	16189013301	ND
2017-02-01	17033011101	ND
2017-07-03	17187007301	ND
2018-01-02	18004008901	ND
2018-07-03	18186010409	ND
2019-01-07	19010010201	ND
2019-09-09	19254006001	ND