Dichloromethane (methylene chloride)
Altoona Waterworks
Methylene chloride is a common industrial solvent used for paint stripping, vapor degreasing, printing, electronics manufacturing and cleaning. It causes cancer and liver damage in animal studies. Read More.
Surface and groundwater can be contaminated with methylene chloride from industrial releases and landfill leaching. The EPA considers methylene chloride likely carcinogenic to people. Long-term ingestion of drinking water with methylene chloride contamination can cause liver damage and cancer. Occupational exposure to methylene chloride and other solvents has been linked with increased risk of miscarriage. Birth defects have also been observed in studies of laboratory animals exposed to methylene chloride during pregnancy.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.0867 ppb | 6 | 1 | ND - 0.520 ppb |
| 2015 | 0.147 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 0.440 ppb |
| 2016 | 0.487 ppb | 3 | 2 | ND - 0.840 ppb |
| 2017 | 0.314 ppb | 9 | 4 | ND - 0.870 ppb |
| 2018 | 0.628 ppb | 5 | 4 | ND - 0.890 ppb |
| 2019 | 0.298 ppb | 5 | 2 | ND - 0.870 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 4 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 4 ppb for dichloromethane (methylene chloride) 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 dichloromethane, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-16 | 797064 | ND |
| 2014-06-16 | 797069 | ND |
| 2014-06-16 | 797067 | 0.520 ppb |
| 2014-06-16 | 797062 | ND |
| 2014-06-23 | 798472 | ND |
| 2014-11-17 | 831786 | ND |
| 2015-06-22 | 866986 | ND |
| 2015-06-22 | 866993 | ND |
| 2015-06-22 | 866991 | 0.440 ppb |
| 2016-09-13 | 945421 | ND |
| 2016-09-13 | 945417 | 0.620 ppb |
| 2016-12-07 | 964760 | 0.840 ppb |
| 2017-03-08 | 976828 | 0.860 ppb |
| 2017-04-17 | 983476 | ND |
| 2017-04-17 | 983480 | ND |
| 2017-06-06 | 995884 | 0.870 ppb |
| 2017-07-19 | 1005209 | ND |
| 2017-07-19 | 1005206 | ND |
| 2017-07-19 | 1005188 | ND |
| 2017-09-05 | 1015787 | 0.480 ppb |
| 2017-12-04 | 1031739 | 0.620 ppb |
| 2018-03-12 | 1044559 | 0.740 ppb |
| 2018-06-19 | 1062452 | ND |
| 2018-06-19 | 1062457 | 0.890 ppb |
| 2018-09-18 | 1081371 | 0.730 ppb |
| 2018-12-17 | 1097851 | 0.780 ppb |
| 2019-03-11 | 1108740 | 0.870 ppb |
| 2019-06-18 | 1128839 | ND |
| 2019-06-18 | 1128844 | 0.620 ppb |
| 2019-09-16 | 1148215 | ND |
| 2019-12-09 | 1164494 | ND |