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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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1,2-Dichloroethane

Waukesha Water Utility

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.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND70ND
2015ND40ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND70ND
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A

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
2014-03-26776755ND
2014-03-26776753ND
2014-05-07784419ND
2014-05-07784422ND
2014-05-07784425ND
2014-06-11796100ND
2014-06-11796103ND
2015-03-10847851ND
2015-03-10847853ND
2015-03-11847855ND
2015-09-29886380ND
2017-03-28980078ND
2017-03-28980084ND
2017-03-28980081ND
2017-05-02986361ND
2017-05-02986364ND
2017-05-31994537ND
2017-05-31994540ND