Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
South Gate Water Department
Dry cleaning chemical tetrachloroethylene, or perc, can cause cancer. It pollutes soil and groundwater due to emissions from dry cleaning facilities, and automotive, metalworking and other industries. Read More.
The EPA considers tetrachloroethylene a likely human carcinogen. It has been linked with increased incidence of lung, breast and colon cancers. Tetrachloroethylene also damages the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The California public health goal of 0.06 parts per billion, set to protect against cancer, is 80 times lower than the amount allowed by the federal government, which is a Maximum Contaminant Level of 5 parts per billion.
253
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
223
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2014 | 1.47 ppb | 42 | 42 | 0.930 ppb - 2.08 ppb |
| 2015 | 1.40 ppb | 17 | 17 | 1.09 ppb - 1.64 ppb |
| 2016 | 1.54 ppb | 58 | 58 | 0.770 ppb - 4.35 ppb |
| 2017 | 1.12 ppb | 47 | 47 | 0.780 ppb - 2.90 ppb |
| 2018 | 0.347 ppb | 37 | 21 | ND - 0.780 ppb |
| 2019 | 0.522 ppb | 52 | 38 | ND - 4.50 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.06 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for tetrachloroethylene 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 tetrachloroethylene, established in 1991, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to tetrachloroethylene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-03 | 9588-021-0000 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2014-01-06 | 9440-021-0842 | 1.41 ppb |
| 2014-01-13 | 9440-021-1241 | 1.81 ppb |
| 2014-01-21 | 9440-021-0930 | 1.36 ppb |
| 2014-01-28 | 9440-021-0705 | 1.32 ppb |
| 2014-02-04 | 9440-021-1121 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2014-02-10 | 9440-021-1051 | 1.44 ppb |
| 2014-02-18 | 9440-021-0937 | 1.45 ppb |
| 2014-02-25 | 9440-021-1219 | 1.43 ppb |
| 2014-03-03 | 9440-021-0819 | 1.53 ppb |
| 2014-03-10 | 9440-021-0907 | 1.54 ppb |
| 2014-03-18 | 9440-021-1038 | 1.62 ppb |
| 2014-03-25 | 9440-021-1339 | 0.930 ppb |
| 2014-04-01 | 9440-021-1135 | 1.85 ppb |
| 2014-04-07 | 9440-021-0841 | 1.95 ppb |
| 2014-04-14 | 9440-021-0941 | 2.03 ppb |
| 2014-04-22 | 9440-021-1401 | 2.08 ppb |
| 2014-04-29 | 9440-021-1021 | 1.96 ppb |
| 2014-05-05 | 9440-021-1521 | 1.44 ppb |
| 2014-05-19 | 9440-021-1109 | 1.63 ppb |
| 2014-06-09 | 9440-021-1439 | 1.24 ppb |
| 2014-06-16 | 9440-021-0759 | 1.47 ppb |
| 2014-06-23 | 9440-021-1233 | 1.29 ppb |
| 2014-07-07 | 9440-021-0948 | 1.16 ppb |
| 2014-07-14 | 9440-021-0800 | 1.26 ppb |
| 2014-07-22 | 9440-021-1112 | 1.47 ppb |
| 2014-07-29 | 9440-021-1117 | 1.07 ppb |
| 2014-08-08 | 9440-021-0817 | 1.09 ppb |
| 2014-08-11 | 9440-021-0815 | 1.39 ppb |
| 2014-09-02 | 9440-021-1128 | 1.85 ppb |
| 2014-09-09 | 9440-021-0213 | 1.24 ppb |
| 2014-09-15 | 9440-021-0914 | 1.23 ppb |
| 2014-09-22 | 9440-021-0827 | 1.79 ppb |
| 2014-09-30 | 9440-021-1030 | 1.36 ppb |
| 2014-10-06 | 9440-021-0750 | 1.51 ppb |
| 2014-10-14 | 9440-021-1015 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2014-10-20 | 9440-021-1245 | 1.31 ppb |
| 2014-10-24 | 9440-021-1034 | 1.52 ppb |
| 2014-11-10 | 9440-021-0950 | 1.59 ppb |
| 2014-11-17 | 9440-021-1244 | 1.56 ppb |
| 2014-12-08 | 9440-021-0751 | 1.47 ppb |
| 2014-12-23 | 9440-021-1015 | 1.41 ppb |
| 2015-07-06 | 9440-021-1343 | 1.51 ppb |
| 2015-07-13 | 9440-021-0835 | 1.51 ppb |
| 2015-07-20 | 9440-021-0902 | 1.35 ppb |
| 2015-07-27 | 9440-021-0736 | 1.26 ppb |
| 2015-08-17 | 9440-021-0800 | 1.29 ppb |
| 2015-08-24 | 9440-021-0910 | 1.42 ppb |
| 2015-09-08 | 9440-021-1025 | 1.09 ppb |
| 2015-09-14 | 9440-021-0810 | 1.29 ppb |
| 2015-09-28 | 9440-021-0734 | 1.23 ppb |
| 2015-10-12 | 9440-021-0129 | 1.22 ppb |
| 2015-10-26 | 9440-021-0817 | 1.43 ppb |
| 2015-11-30 | 9440-021-0728 | 1.55 ppb |
| 2015-12-02 | 9440-021-1119 | 1.64 ppb |
| 2015-12-07 | 9440-021-0720 | 1.57 ppb |
| 2015-12-14 | 9440-021-1212 | 1.37 ppb |
| 2015-12-21 | 9440-021-0855 | 1.39 ppb |
| 2015-12-29 | 9440-021-0732 | 1.64 ppb |
| 2016-01-04 | 9440-021-0940 | 1.75 ppb |
| 2016-01-11 | 9440-021-0905 | 1.52 ppb |
| 2016-01-19 | 9440-021-0925 | 1.38 ppb |
| 2016-01-26 | 9440-021-1128 | 1.74 ppb |
| 2016-02-01 | 9440-021-0955 | 1.58 ppb |
| 2016-02-08 | 9440-021-0915 | 1.21 ppb |
| 2016-02-17 | 9440-021-1024 | 1.13 ppb |
| 2016-02-22 | 9440-021-1121 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2016-02-29 | 9440-021-1010 | 1.33 ppb |
| 2016-03-07 | 9440-021-1221 | 1.18 ppb |
| 2016-03-14 | 9440-021-1121 | 1.23 ppb |
| 2016-03-21 | 9440-021-1102 | 1.32 ppb |
| 2016-03-30 | 9440-021-0914 | 1.07 ppb |
| 2016-04-04 | 9440-021-1021 | 1.24 ppb |
| 2016-04-11 | 9440-021-0830 | 1.90 ppb |
| 2016-04-18 | 9440-021-0851 | 1.15 ppb |
| 2016-04-25 | 9440-021-0746 | 1.19 ppb |
| 2016-05-02 | 9440-021-0933 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2016-05-09 | 9440-021-0815 | 1.23 ppb |
| 2016-05-16 | 9440-021-0838 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2016-05-24 | 9440-021-0944 | 1.31 ppb |
| 2016-06-01 | 9440-021-0805 | 1.87 ppb |
| 2016-06-07 | 9440-021-0948 | 1.94 ppb |
| 2016-06-13 | 9440-021-0935 | 1.84 ppb |
| 2016-06-21 | 9440-021-1201 | 1.84 ppb |
| 2016-06-27 | 9440-021-1001 | 1.72 ppb |
| 2016-07-05 | 9440-021-1130 | 1.76 ppb |
| 2016-07-12 | 9440-021-0945 | 1.73 ppb |
| 2016-07-18 | 9440-021-0815 | 1.67 ppb |
| 2016-07-25 | 9440-021-1052 | 1.41 ppb |
| 2016-08-01 | 9440-021-0852 | 2.52 ppb |
| 2016-08-01 | 9440-021-0905 | 0.950 ppb |
| 2016-08-08 | 9440-021-0828 | 0.950 ppb |
| 2016-08-08 | 9440-021-0837 | 2.24 ppb |
| 2016-08-15 | 9440-021-1055 | 1.14 ppb |
| 2016-08-22 | 9440-021-0902 | 1.08 ppb |
| 2016-08-22 | 9440-021-0905 | 2.84 ppb |
| 2016-08-29 | 9440-021-0755 | 1.05 ppb |
| 2016-08-29 | 9440-021-0800 | 2.65 ppb |
| 2016-09-07 | 9440-021-0912 | 1.73 ppb |
| 2016-09-07 | 9440-021-0915 | 4.35 ppb |
| 2016-09-12 | 9440-021-0817 | 4.20 ppb |
| 2016-09-12 | 9440-021-0820 | 1.59 ppb |
| 2016-09-19 | 9440-021-0838 | 4.16 ppb |
| 2016-09-22 | 9440-021-1245 | 1.62 ppb |
| 2016-10-03 | 9588-021-0955 | 0.970 ppb |
| 2016-10-12 | 9588-021-1113 | 0.930 ppb |
| 2016-10-19 | 9588-021-0936 | 0.870 ppb |
| 2016-10-24 | 9588-021-0959 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2016-10-31 | 9588-021-1018 | 0.770 ppb |
| 2016-11-09 | 9588-021-1016 | 0.970 ppb |
| 2016-11-14 | 9588-021-1022 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2016-11-23 | 9588-021-0951 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2016-11-28 | 9588-021-1024 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2016-12-05 | 9588-021-0958 | 0.840 ppb |
| 2016-12-12 | 9588-021-0741 | 0.940 ppb |
| 2016-12-19 | 9588-021-1151 | 0.910 ppb |
| 2016-12-26 | 9588-021-0826 | 0.860 ppb |
| 2017-01-04 | 9588-021-0937 | 0.860 ppb |
| 2017-01-09 | 9588-021-0901 | 0.890 ppb |
| 2017-01-18 | 9588-021-0928 | 0.790 ppb |
| 2017-01-25 | 9588-021-0840 | 0.780 ppb |
| 2017-01-30 | 9588-021-0817 | 0.780 ppb |
| 2017-02-06 | 9588-021-0812 | 0.820 ppb |
| 2017-02-15 | 9588-021-0000 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-02-22 | 9588-021-0840 | 2.40 ppb |
| 2017-02-27 | 9588-021-0905 | 0.880 ppb |
| 2017-03-06 | 9588-021-0810 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-03-13 | 9588-021-0837 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-03-20 | 9588-021-0855 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-03-29 | 9588-021-0000 | 0.890 ppb |
| 2017-04-03 | 9588-021-1053 | 0.860 ppb |
| 2017-04-12 | 9588-021-0810 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-04-17 | 9588-021-1043 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-04-24 | 9588-021-0931 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-05-01 | 9588-021-0929 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-05-08 | 9588-021-0921 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-05-15 | 9588-021-0901 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2017-05-22 | 9588-021-1019 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-05-31 | 9588-021-1011 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-06-05 | 9588-021-1011 | 0.910 ppb |
| 2017-06-12 | 9588-021-0931 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-06-21 | 9588-021-1027 | 2.90 ppb |
| 2017-06-26 | 9588-021-0916 | 0.940 ppb |
| 2017-07-05 | 9588-021-0848 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-07-10 | 9588-021-0942 | 0.820 ppb |
| 2017-07-17 | 9588-021-0949 | 0.890 ppb |
| 2017-07-24 | 9588-021-0822 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-08-07 | 9588-021-1430 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-08-14 | 9588-021-0712 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2017-08-21 | 9588-021-1215 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-08-28 | 9588-021-0800 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-09-06 | 9588-021-0930 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-09-11 | 9588-021-0814 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-09-18 | 9588-021-0905 | 1.60 ppb |
| 2017-09-25 | 9588-021-0740 | 1.80 ppb |
| 2017-10-02 | 9588-021-1034 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-10-09 | 9588-021-1043 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-10-16 | 9588-021-0921 | 1.20 ppb |
| 2017-10-25 | 9588-021-0845 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-10-30 | 9588-021-0925 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-11-06 | 9588-021-0826 | 0.830 ppb |
| 2017-11-13 | 9588-021-0833 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-11-20 | 9588-021-0820 | 1.10 ppb |
| 2017-11-27 | 9588-021-1007 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2018-04-11 | 9588-021-0828 | ND |
| 2018-04-18 | 9588-021-0832 | ND |
| 2018-04-23 | 9588-021-0927 | ND |
| 2018-04-30 | 9588-021-0833 | ND |
| 2018-05-07 | 9588-021-0921 | ND |
| 2018-05-14 | 9588-021-0848 | ND |
| 2018-05-21 | 9588-021-0843 | ND |
| 2018-05-30 | 9588-021-0752 | ND |
| 2018-06-04 | 9588-021-0948 | ND |
| 2018-06-13 | 9588-021-0816 | 0.600 ppb |
| 2018-06-18 | 9588-021-1008 | 0.630 ppb |
| 2018-06-27 | 9588-021-0942 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2018-07-02 | 9588-021-0856 | ND |
| 2018-07-16 | 9588-021-0840 | 0.580 ppb |
| 2018-07-23 | 9588-021-0720 | ND |
| 2018-07-30 | 9588-021-0735 | 0.570 ppb |
| 2018-08-06 | 9588-021-0736 | 0.650 ppb |
| 2018-08-13 | 9588-021-0705 | 0.520 ppb |
| 2018-08-20 | 9588-021-0740 | ND |
| 2018-08-27 | 9588-021-0812 | 0.540 ppb |
| 2018-09-05 | 9588-021-0916 | 0.510 ppb |
| 2018-09-10 | 9588-021-0727 | 0.700 ppb |
| 2018-09-17 | 9588-021-0827 | 0.610 ppb |
| 2018-09-24 | 9588-021-0818 | 0.730 ppb |
| 2018-10-01 | 9588-021-0815 | 0.510 ppb |
| 2018-10-08 | 9588-021-0949 | 0.540 ppb |
| 2018-10-15 | 9588-021-0939 | 0.770 ppb |
| 2018-10-22 | 9588-021-0947 | 0.770 ppb |
| 2018-10-29 | 9588-021-0807 | 0.520 ppb |
| 2018-11-05 | 9588-021-1024 | 0.540 ppb |
| 2018-11-12 | 9588-021-1045 | 0.780 ppb |
| 2018-11-19 | 9588-021-1044 | ND |
| 2018-11-26 | 9588-021-0932 | ND |
| 2018-12-03 | 9588-021-1109 | ND |
| 2018-12-10 | 9588-021-0912 | ND |
| 2018-12-19 | 9588-021-1019 | 0.580 ppb |
| 2018-12-26 | 9588-021-0901 | 0.670 ppb |
| 2019-01-01 | 9588-021-0808 | 0.600 ppb |
| 2019-01-07 | 9588-021-0827 | 0.570 ppb |
| 2019-01-14 | 9588-021-0924 | ND |
| 2019-01-23 | 9588-021-0815 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2019-01-28 | 9588-021-0758 | 0.600 ppb |
| 2019-02-04 | 9588-021-0847 | 0.620 ppb |
| 2019-02-11 | 9588-021-1010 | 0.510 ppb |
| 2019-02-20 | 9588-021-0955 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2019-02-25 | 9588-021-0749 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2019-03-04 | 9588-021-0831 | ND |
| 2019-03-11 | 9588-021-0815 | 0.670 ppb |
| 2019-03-18 | 9588-021-0922 | 0.700 ppb |
| 2019-03-27 | 9588-021-0705 | 0.660 ppb |
| 2019-04-03 | 9588-021-0959 | 0.670 ppb |
| 2019-04-08 | 9588-021-0943 | 0.560 ppb |
| 2019-04-15 | 9588-021-0816 | 0.520 ppb |
| 2019-04-22 | 9588-021-0836 | ND |
| 2019-04-29 | 9588-021-0809 | 0.540 ppb |
| 2019-05-06 | 9588-021-1046 | 0.540 ppb |
| 2019-05-13 | 9588-021-0903 | 0.550 ppb |
| 2019-05-20 | 9588-021-0820 | 0.690 ppb |
| 2019-05-29 | 9588-021-0755 | 0.520 ppb |
| 2019-06-03 | 9588-021-0824 | 0.520 ppb |
| 2019-06-10 | 9588-021-1054 | ND |
| 2019-06-17 | 9588-021-0849 | ND |
| 2019-06-24 | 9588-021-0859 | 0.560 ppb |
| 2019-07-01 | 9588-021-0738 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2019-07-08 | 9588-021-0812 | 0.550 ppb |
| 2019-07-15 | 9588-021-0936 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2019-07-22 | 9588-021-0835 | 0.550 ppb |
| 2019-07-29 | 9588-021-0720 | ND |
| 2019-08-05 | 9588-021-0848 | ND |
| 2019-08-12 | 9588-021-0725 | 0.850 ppb |
| 2019-08-19 | 9588-021-0850 | ND |
| 2019-08-26 | 9588-021-0905 | 0.620 ppb |
| 2019-09-04 | 9588-021-0805 | 0.600 ppb |
| 2019-09-09 | 9588-021-0936 | 0.640 ppb |
| 2019-09-23 | 9588-021-0726 | 0.930 ppb |
| 2019-10-02 | 9588-021-1001 | 0.680 ppb |
| 2019-10-07 | 9588-021-0834 | 0.690 ppb |
| 2019-10-14 | 9588-021-0954 | 0.800 ppb |
| 2019-10-21 | 9588-021-1003 | 0.710 ppb |
| 2019-10-28 | 9588-021-1020 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2019-11-04 | 9588-021-1000 | ND |
| 2019-11-11 | 9588-021-0918 | ND |
| 2019-11-18 | 9588-021-0959 | ND |
| 2019-11-25 | 9588-021-0754 | 0.790 ppb |
| 2019-12-02 | 9588-021-0849 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2019-12-09 | 9588-021-0800 | 4.50 ppb |
| 2019-12-16 | 9588-021-0750 | ND |
| 2019-12-23 | 9588-021-0831 | ND |
| 2019-12-30 | 9588-021-0915 | ND |