Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Trichloroethylene

Falfurrias Utility Board

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.

 

26

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND50ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND50ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-02-12AE13326ND
2018-02-12AE13324ND
2018-06-14AE30042ND
2018-06-14AE30050ND
2018-11-05AE45241ND
2019-02-25AE55655ND
2019-02-25AE55661ND
2019-07-08AE73478ND
2019-07-08AE73480ND
2020-02-10AE97893ND
2020-08-17AF23863ND
2020-08-17AF23865ND
2020-08-17AF23867ND
2021-08-13AF66426ND
2021-11-10AF76428ND
2021-11-10AF76440ND
2021-11-10AF76442ND
2021-11-10AF76444ND
2022-01-28AF82603ND
2022-05-09AF96764ND
2022-05-09AF96766ND
2022-06-30AG03063ND
2023-01-23AG25736ND
2023-01-23AG25740ND
2023-04-12AG36564ND
2023-04-12AG36566ND