Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Trichloroethylene

Deforest Waterworks

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.

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24

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND10ND
2023ND120ND

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
2018-03-131044928ND
2018-03-131044929ND
2018-08-29404007001ND
2019-06-191129331ND
2019-06-191129330ND
2020-06-021191108ND
2020-06-021191109ND
2020-06-021191107ND
2020-06-021191092ND
2021-04-131248611ND
2021-04-131248610ND
2022-07-261326226ND
2023-03-21669283001ND
2023-03-21669282001ND
2023-06-08682745001ND
2023-06-08682743001ND
2023-07-25691015001ND
2023-07-25691015002ND
2023-09-07698953003ND
2023-09-07698953001ND
2023-09-19701208001ND
2023-09-19701205001ND
2023-12-12714406001ND
2023-12-12714406002ND