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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Jonah Water SUD

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.

 

27

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND60ND
2016ND60ND
2017ND50ND
2018ND50ND
2019ND50ND

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 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
2015-03-10AC83525ND
2015-03-10AC83523ND
2015-03-10AC83529ND
2015-03-10AC83527ND
2015-06-18AC96512ND
2015-06-18AC96514ND
2016-02-10AD23078ND
2016-02-10AD23074ND
2016-05-26AD38557ND
2016-05-26AD38559ND
2016-05-26AD38561ND
2016-09-13AD49218ND
2017-02-13AD70404ND
2017-02-13AD70400ND
2017-02-13AD70408ND
2017-02-13AD70398ND
2017-05-01AD81846ND
2018-02-08AE13063ND
2018-02-08AE13065ND
2018-02-08AE13053ND
2018-02-08AE13045ND
2018-02-08AE13049ND
2019-03-14AE58445ND
2019-03-14AE58453ND
2019-03-14AE58459ND
2019-03-14AE58447ND
2019-03-14AE58463ND