Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Trichloroethylene

New Orleans Carrollton Waterworks

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.

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28

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND120ND
2020ND30ND
2021ND30ND
20220.257 ppb31ND - 0.770 ppb
2023ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-03-1535380391002ND
2018-03-1535380391001ND
2018-03-1535380391001ND
2018-03-1535380391002ND
2019-02-2735451098001ND
2019-02-2735451097001ND
2019-02-2735451098001ND
2019-02-2735451097001ND
2019-09-0535495386001ND
2019-09-0535495386003ND
2019-09-0535495386001ND
2019-09-0535495386003ND
2019-09-0535495386002ND
2019-09-0535495386002ND
2019-09-1935499418001ND
2019-09-1935499418001ND
2020-03-2635540024001ND
2020-03-2635540029001ND
2020-03-2635540032001ND
2021-03-2935622307001ND
2021-03-2935622313001ND
2021-03-2935622309001ND
2022-03-1535704706001ND
2022-03-1535704707001ND
2022-03-15357047090010.770 ppb
2023-03-0635783931001ND
2023-03-0635783938001ND
2023-03-0635783939001ND