Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Trichloroethylene

Tempe Water Supply Corporation 1

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.

 

24

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
2021ND40ND
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
2018-02-13AE13556ND
2018-02-13AE13592ND
2018-02-13AE13596ND
2018-02-13AE13554ND
2019-02-26AE55992ND
2019-02-26AE55996ND
2019-02-26AE56002ND
2019-02-26AE56004ND
2020-02-12AE98142ND
2020-02-12AE98144ND
2020-02-12AE98146ND
2020-02-12AE98190ND
2021-01-27AF41351ND
2021-01-27AF41361ND
2021-01-27AF41359ND
2021-01-27AF41357ND
2022-02-09AF84010ND
2022-02-09AF84012ND
2022-02-09AF84014ND
2022-02-09AF84016ND
2023-02-16AG29345ND
2023-02-16AG29347ND
2023-02-16AG29357ND
2023-05-30AG42342ND