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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Aberdeen, Town of

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

1

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

5

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.436 ppb223ND - 4.20 ppb
20150.750 ppb102ND - 5.80 ppb
2016ND50ND
2017ND170ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND60ND

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
2014-01-138977-011314-E07VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E06VND
2014-01-138977-011314-W02VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E16VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E15VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E14VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E13VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E11VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E10VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E09V4.20 ppb
2014-01-138977-011314-E08VND
2014-01-138977-011314-E12VND
2014-01-278977-012714-E17VND
2014-01-278977-012714-E18VND
2014-01-278977-012714-E19VND
2014-02-108977-021014-E03VND
2014-04-078977-040714-E09V1.20 ppb
2014-04-148977-041414-E22VND
2014-07-078977-070714-E09V4.20 ppb
2014-07-078977-070714-E22VND
2014-10-068977-100614-E09VND
2014-10-068977-100614-E22VND
2015-01-05ND
2015-01-05ND
2015-01-05ND
2015-01-05ND
2015-01-05ND
2015-04-135.80 ppb
2015-04-13ND
2015-07-061.70 ppb
2015-07-06ND
2015-10-05ND
2016-01-048977-010416-E22VND
2016-01-048977-010416-E19VND
2016-01-048977-010416-E11VND
2016-04-048977-040416-E22VND
2016-07-118977-071116-E22VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E13VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E19VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E17VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E16VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E15VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E14VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E12VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E11VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E10VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E08VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E07VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E06VND
2017-01-098977-010917-E03VND
2017-02-068977-020617-E18VND
2017-07-108977-071017-E22VND
2017-08-288977-082817-E14VND
2017-10-028977-100217-E14VND
2018-02-058977-020518-E14VND
2018-02-058977-020518-E17VND
2018-04-028977-040218-E14VND
2018-07-168977-071618-E14VND
2018-07-168977-071618-E22VND
2018-11-138977-111318-E14VND
2019-01-078977-010719-E14VND
2019-04-018977-040119-E14VND
2019-07-228977-072219-E14VND
2019-07-228977-072219-E22VND
2019-10-078977-100719-E14VND
2019-10-218977-102119-E28VND