Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

1,2-Dichloropropane

City of Dorchester

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND20ND
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
2018-07-05Q1826628001ND
2018-07-05Q1826628010ND
2019-08-13Q1954235002ND
2019-08-13Q1954235004ND
2020-10-15Q2040499003ND
2020-11-23Q2046450001ND
2021-09-20Q2125598003ND
2021-12-13Q2134947004ND
2022-06-29Q2218370001ND
2022-10-19Q2231829003ND
2023-08-23Q2335730001ND
2023-11-13Q2348430001ND