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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Charlotte Water

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

90

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
2014ND200ND
2015ND200ND
2016ND200ND
2017ND200ND
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
2014-02-19AE92465-VOCND
2014-02-19AE92466-VOCND
2014-02-19AE92469-VOCND
2014-02-19AE92467-VOCND
2014-02-19AE92468-VOCND
2014-05-13AF01538-VOCND
2014-05-13AF01539-VOCND
2014-05-13AF01535-VOCND
2014-05-13AF01536-VOCND
2014-05-13AF01537-VOCND
2014-08-07AF10197-VOCND
2014-08-07AF10199-VOCND
2014-08-07AF10198-VOCND
2014-08-07AF10200-VOCND
2014-08-07AF10196-VOCND
2014-12-03AF22252-VOCND
2014-12-03AF22253-VOCND
2014-12-03AF22256-VOCND
2014-12-03AF22254-VOCND
2014-12-03AF22255-VOCND
2015-03-04ND
2015-03-04ND
2015-03-04ND
2015-03-04ND
2015-03-04ND
2015-06-11ND
2015-06-11ND
2015-06-11ND
2015-06-24ND
2015-06-24ND
2015-08-19ND
2015-08-19ND
2015-08-19ND
2015-08-19ND
2015-08-19ND
2015-11-04ND
2015-11-04ND
2015-11-04ND
2015-11-04ND
2015-11-04ND
2016-02-03AF65961_VOCND
2016-02-03AF65963_VOCND
2016-02-03AF65965_VOCND
2016-02-03AF65962_VOCND
2016-02-03AF65964_VOCND
2016-05-04AF76712_VOCND
2016-05-04AF76714_VOCND
2016-05-04AF76711_VOCND
2016-05-04AF76710_VOCND
2016-05-04AF76713_VOCND
2016-08-03AF87878_VOCND
2016-08-03AF87882_VOCND
2016-08-03AF87880_VOCND
2016-08-03AF87879_VOCND
2016-08-03AF87881_VOCND
2016-11-02AF98943_VOCND
2016-11-02AF98941_VOCND
2016-11-02AF98942_VOCND
2016-11-02AF98940_VOCND
2016-11-02AF98944_VOCND
2017-02-01AG08743_VOCND
2017-02-01AG08746_VOCND
2017-02-01AG08747_VOCND
2017-02-01AG08745_VOCND
2017-02-01AG08744_VOCND
2017-05-04AG19789_VOCND
2017-05-04AG19787_VOCND
2017-05-04AG19788_VOCND
2017-05-08AG20109_VOCND
2017-05-08AG20110_VOCND
2017-08-01AG30326_VOCND
2017-08-01AG30328_VOCND
2017-08-01AG30324_VOCND
2017-08-01AG30327_VOCND
2017-08-01AG30325_VOCND
2017-11-01AG41970_VOCND
2017-11-01AG41973_VOCND
2017-11-01AG41971_VOCND
2017-11-01AG41974_VOCND
2017-11-01AG41972_VOCND
2018-02-08AG53373_VOC ND
2018-02-08AG53374_VOC ND
2018-02-08AG53375_VOC ND
2018-02-08AG53376_VOC ND
2018-02-08AG53379_VOC ND
2019-02-07AG96883_VOC ND
2019-02-07AG96884_VOC ND
2019-02-07AG96885_VOC ND
2019-02-07AG96886_VOC ND
2019-02-07AG96887_VOC ND