Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Moorestown Water Department
Dry cleaning chemical tetrachloroethylene, or perc, can cause cancer. It pollutes soil and groundwater due to emissions from dry cleaning facilities, and automotive, metalworking and other industries. Read More.
The EPA considers tetrachloroethylene a likely human carcinogen. It has been linked with increased incidence of lung, breast and colon cancers. Tetrachloroethylene also damages the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The California public health goal of 0.06 parts per billion, set to protect against cancer, is 80 times lower than the amount allowed by the federal government, which is a Maximum Contaminant Level of 5 parts per billion.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2014 | 0.0500 ppb | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.250 ppb |
2015 | 0.306 ppb | 5 | 5 | 0.170 ppb - 0.460 ppb |
2016 | 0.340 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.230 ppb - 0.450 ppb |
2017 | 0.111 ppb | 9 | 3 | ND - 0.400 ppb |
2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
2019 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.06 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for tetrachloroethylene 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 tetrachloroethylene, established in 1991, 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 due to tetrachloroethylene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-02-12 | L4860693-2 | ND |
2014-04-23 | L4860694-2 | 0.250 ppb |
2014-06-25 | L4973875-2 | ND |
2014-07-16 | L5104556-1 | ND |
2014-08-20 | L5017829-1 | ND |
2015-06-23 | L5490279-1 | 0.170 ppb |
2015-08-26 | L5639894-1 | 0.440 ppb |
2015-08-26 | L5639894-2 | 0.240 ppb |
2015-11-18 | L5919380-1 | 0.460 ppb |
2015-11-18 | L5919380-2 | 0.220 ppb |
2016-02-03 | L5969187-1 | 0.230 ppb |
2016-02-03 | L5969187-2 | 0.450 ppb |
2017-02-28 | L6692550-1 | ND |
2017-02-28 | L6692550-2 | 0.200 ppb |
2017-06-14 | L6599775-1 | ND |
2017-06-14 | L6599779-1 | ND |
2017-06-14 | L6599775-2 | 0.400 ppb |
2017-08-30 | L6944121-1 | ND |
2017-08-30 | L6944123-1 | 0.400 ppb |
2017-11-03 | L6951590-1 | ND |
2017-11-21 | L6973352-2 | ND |
2018-02-14 | 3874709 | ND |
2018-05-30 | L7009542-1 | ND |
2018-08-29 | L7041109-1 | ND |
2018-11-14 | L7071748-1 | ND |
2019-05-08 | L7111456-2 | ND |
2019-08-14 | L7134326-2 | ND |