Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Shorewood Hills Waterworks
Dry cleaning chemical tetrachloroethylene, or perc, can cause cancer. It pollutes soil and groundwater due to emissions from dry cleaning facilities, and automotive, metalworking and other industries. Read More.
The EPA considers tetrachloroethylene a likely human carcinogen. It has been linked with increased incidence of lung, breast and colon cancers. Tetrachloroethylene also damages the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The California public health goal of 0.06 parts per billion, set to protect against cancer, is 80 times lower than the amount allowed by the federal government, which is a Maximum Contaminant Level of 5 parts per billion.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0.480 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.450 ppb - 0.510 ppb |
| 2019 | 0.323 ppb | 4 | 4 | 0.280 ppb - 0.360 ppb |
| 2020 | 0.355 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.340 ppb - 0.370 ppb |
| 2021 | 0.330 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.270 ppb - 0.390 ppb |
| 2022 | 0.345 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.310 ppb - 0.380 ppb |
| 2023 | 1.39 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.780 ppb - 2.00 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for tetrachloroethylene 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 tetrachloroethylene, established in 1991, 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 due to tetrachloroethylene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-11-19 | 420369001 | 0.450 ppb |
| 2018-11-19 | 420372001 | 0.510 ppb |
| 2019-11-18 | 481795001 | 0.320 ppb |
| 2019-11-18 | 481819001 | 0.360 ppb |
| 2019-12-09 | 484891001 | 0.280 ppb |
| 2019-12-09 | 484892001 | 0.330 ppb |
| 2020-11-16 | 536139001 | 0.340 ppb |
| 2020-11-16 | 536137001 | 0.370 ppb |
| 2021-11-16 | 594760001 | 0.270 ppb |
| 2021-11-16 | 594754001 | 0.390 ppb |
| 2022-11-21 | 654126001 | 0.310 ppb |
| 2022-11-21 | 654127001 | 0.380 ppb |
| 2023-12-08 | 713883001 | 0.780 ppb |
| 2023-12-08 | 713887001 | 2.00 ppb |