Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

1,2-Dichloropropane

Town of Poolesville

1,2-Dichloropropane is a volatile carcinogenic solvent discharged from chemical factories and landfills. It also contaminates farmland due to its former use as a soil fumigant. Read More.

The insecticide and fumigant uses of 1,2-dichloropropane were discontinued in the 1980s, but it is still used as an industrial solvent. The California public health goal of 0.5 parts per billion, set to protect against cancer, is 10 times lower than the amount allowed by the federal government, which is a Maximum Contaminant Level of 5 parts per billion. 1,2-Dichloropropane can also damage the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and digestive and respiratory systems.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND30ND
2020N/A00N/A
2021ND80ND
2022N/A00N/A
2023ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.5 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for 1,2-dichloropropane 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-dichloropropane, established in 1991, 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.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2019-07-02E20000017001ND
2019-07-02E20000017004ND
2019-07-02E20000017006ND
2021-01-21E21001857001ND
2021-01-21E21001857004ND
2021-04-06E21002753001ND
2021-04-06E21002753004ND
2021-07-13E22000119001ND
2021-08-05E22000416001ND
2021-08-05E22000416004ND
2021-10-05E2200028701ND
2023-04-18E2300236508ND
2023-04-18E2300236520ND