1,2-Dichloroethane

City of Corsicana

1,2-Dichloroethane is a volatile carcinogenic chemical used to make plastic products such as polyvinyl chloride. Read More.

Also known as ethylene dichloride, it has been widely used as an intermediate for manufacturing other chemicals and as a solvent. 1,2-Dichloroethane causes multiple types of cancer in animal studies, and damages liver, kidneys, and the immune and nervous systems. The EPA classifies 1,2-dichloroethane as a probable human carcinogen.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	ND	2	ND
2015	ND	2	ND
2016	ND	2	ND
2017	ND	2	ND
2018	ND	2	ND
2019	ND	2	ND

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 1,2-dichloroethane 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-dichloroethane, established in 1987, 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 due to 1,2-dichloroethane exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-07-23	Q1430464005	ND
2014-07-23	Q1430464008	ND
2015-07-29	Q1529448006	ND
2015-07-29	Q1529448007	ND
2016-07-12	Q1628094002	ND
2016-07-12	Q1628094003	ND
2017-07-26	Q1730737002	ND
2017-07-26	Q1730737006	ND
2018-07-17	Q1828588001	ND
2018-07-17	Q1828588004	ND
2019-07-29	Q1948665001	ND
2019-09-24	Q1968203001	ND