1,2-Dichloroethane

Callaway 2 Water District

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2013	N/A	0	N/A
2014	N/A	0	N/A
2015	ND	8	ND
2016	N/A	0	N/A
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	ND	8	ND
2019	N/A	0	N/A

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	Lab ID	Result
2015-03-09	AC42765	ND
2015-03-09	AC42763	ND
2015-03-09	AC42762	ND
2015-03-09	AC42764	ND
2015-03-09	AC42761	ND
2015-03-09	AC42760	ND
2015-03-09	AC42767	ND
2015-03-09	AC42766	ND
2018-06-04	AD19152	ND
2018-06-04	AD19151	ND
2018-06-04	AD19155	ND
2018-06-04	AD19153	ND
2018-06-04	AD19154	ND
2018-06-04	AD19156	ND
2018-06-04	AD19157	ND
2018-06-04	AD19158	ND