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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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1,2-Dichloroethane

Westford Water Department

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND

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 Result
2014-06-11ND
2014-06-11ND
2015-05-04ND
2015-05-04ND
2016-04-05ND
2016-04-06ND
2017-05-24ND
2017-05-24ND
2018-05-15ND
2018-05-16ND
2019-05-01ND
2019-05-01ND