Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Trichloroethylene

Western Hills Water System

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.

 

25

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
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
2018-09-18AE40735ND
2018-09-18AE40745ND
2018-09-18AE40749ND
2018-09-18AE40729ND
2019-06-17AE71090ND
2019-06-17AE71098ND
2019-06-17AE71118ND
2019-06-17AE71138ND
2020-06-15AF15206ND
2020-06-15AF15208ND
2020-06-15AF15210ND
2020-06-15AF15214ND
2021-08-03AF64447ND
2021-08-03AF64455ND
2021-08-03AF64451ND
2021-09-23AF71029ND
2021-10-14AF73603ND
2022-03-22AF90050ND
2022-03-22AF90052ND
2022-03-22AF90054ND
2022-10-04AG15920ND
2023-07-12AG48162ND
2023-07-12AG48172ND
2023-07-12AG48178ND
2023-07-12AG48180ND