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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

City of Torrance Water Department

Trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent and common groundwater pollutant, damages the immune system, harms the developing fetus and causes cancer. Read More.

Trichloroethylene was once commonly used to remove grease from metal parts, such as steel pipes and engines, and as a solvent in dry cleaning and carpet cleaning products. Drinking trichloroethylene-contaminated drinking water has been linked with birth defects, leukemia, and liver and kidney damage. Trichloroethylene is highly volatile and can enter indoor air through water in pipes. If trichloroethylene is present, people can inhale it while bathing, washing dishes and doing other household activities that involve water.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

66

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND130ND
2015ND80ND
2016ND50ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND180ND
2019ND180ND

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 trichloroethylene was defined by the state of Minnesota as health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus and damage to the immune system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 5 ppb

The legal limit for trichloroethylene, established in 1987, 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 and harm to the developing fetus.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-02-059588-016-0950ND
2014-02-059588-011-1015ND
2014-02-059588-009-1008ND
2014-04-229588-016-1025ND
2014-06-249588-011-1008ND
2014-06-249588-009-1008ND
2014-06-249588-009-1000ND
2014-07-309588-016-1035ND
2014-07-309588-011-1020ND
2014-07-309588-010-1015ND
2014-07-309588-009-1010ND
2014-11-259588-016-1000ND
2014-12-309588-009-1010ND
2015-03-319588-009-0901ND
2015-03-319588-016-0922ND
2015-04-219588-009-0933ND
2015-05-209588-016-0930ND
2015-07-299588-009-0934ND
2015-07-299588-016-1004ND
2015-10-289588-009-0926ND
2015-10-289588-016-0951ND
2016-02-239588-016-0932ND
2016-03-029588-009-0919ND
2016-05-129588-009-0906ND
2016-05-129588-016-0930ND
2016-09-279588-016-0910ND
2017-01-319588-016-0920ND
2017-04-199588-016-0915ND
2017-10-043761-009-1330ND
2017-10-109588-016-0933ND
2018-01-309588-016-0930ND
2018-02-239588-024-0955ND
2018-02-239588-023-0935ND
2018-04-199588-016-0950ND
2018-06-149588-010-0945ND
2018-06-149588-011-0940ND
2018-06-149588-024-0935ND
2018-06-149588-023-1012ND
2018-08-029588-023-1000ND
2018-08-029588-010-0940ND
2018-08-029588-024-0933ND
2018-08-029588-011-0942ND
2018-08-029588-016-1030ND
2018-11-089588-023-0948ND
2018-11-089588-011-1045ND
2018-11-089588-016-1005ND
2018-11-089588-010-1020ND
2018-11-089588-024-1037ND
2019-01-239588-011-0945ND
2019-01-239588-010-0948ND
2019-01-239588-016-1033ND
2019-01-239588-024-0940ND
2019-01-239588-023-1010ND
2019-05-019588-024-0934ND
2019-05-019588-010-0945ND
2019-05-019588-016-0957ND
2019-05-019588-011-0940ND
2019-08-149588-010-0933ND
2019-08-149588-016-1130ND
2019-08-149588-023-0955ND
2019-08-149588-011-0929ND
2019-10-309588-024-0928ND
2019-10-309588-010-0935ND
2019-10-309588-016-1028ND
2019-10-309588-023-1005ND
2019-10-309588-011-0950ND