Consumer Factsheet on: 1,1-DICHLOROETHYLENE
List
of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact
sheet is part of a larger publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found
in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
What is 1,1-DCE and how is it used?
1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) is an organic liquid with a mild, sweet,
chloroform-like odor. Virtually all of it is used in making adhesives,
synthetic fibers, refrigerants, food packaging and coating resins such
as the saran types.
The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you
are using this chemical at home or work.
Trade Names and Synonyms:
1,1-DCE
1,1-Dichloroethene
Asym-dichloro-ethylene
Vinylidene chloride
Why is 1,1-DCE being Regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires
EPA to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or
may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely
on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant
Level Goals.
The MCLG for 1,1-DCE has been set at 7 parts per billion (ppb) because
EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential
health problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 7 ppb because EPA believes, given present technology
and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably
be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these
standards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
What are the Health Effects?
Short-term: EPA has found 1,1-DCE to potentially cause the following
health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for
relatively short periods of time: liver damage.
Long-term: 1,1-DCE has the potential to cause the following effects
from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver and kidney damage,
as well as toxicity to the developing fetus; cancer.
How much 1,1-DCE is produced and released to the environment?
An estimated 90,700 tons/yr of 1,1-DCE were produced in the USA during
the early 1980s. It may be released by evaporation or in wastewater during
its production and use in the manufacture of plastic wrap, adhesives,
and synthetic fiber. It may also form in groundwater that has been contaminated
by similar solvents.
From 1987 to 1993, according to the Toxics Release Inventory, releases
to water and land totalled over 11,500 lbs. These releases were primarily
from facilities which make plastics materials/resins. The largest releases
occurred in Kentucky.
What happens to 1,1-DCE when it is released to the environment?
Releases to water will primarily be lost to the atmosphere through evaporation.
1,1-DCE will evaporate from soil and will leach into the groundwater where
its fate is unknown, but degradation is expected to be slow. Its tendency
to accumulate in aquatic life is unknown but expected to be minor.
How will 1,1-DCE be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking Water?
The regulation for 1,1-DCE became effective in 1989. Between 1993 and
1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples every
3 months for one year and analyze them to find out if 1,1-DCE is present
above 0.5 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must continue
to monitor this contaminant.
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your
water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of 1,1-DCE so that
it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have
been approved by EPA for removing 1,1-DCE: Granular activated charcoal
in combination with Packed Tower Aeration.
How will I know if 1,1-DCE is in my drinking water?
If the levels of 1,1-DCE exceed the MCL, 7 ppb, the system must notify
the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions,
such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required
to prevent serious risks to public health.
Drinking Water Standards:
Mclg: 7 ppb
Mcl: 7 ppb
1,1-DCE Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
|
Water |
Land |
TOTALS (in pounds) |
10,101 |
1,488 |
Top States |
KY |
2,880 |
286
|
TX |
2,061 |
150
|
LA |
2,079 |
3
|
Major Industries |
Plastics materials, resins |
3,942 |
1,299
|
Alkalies, chlorine |
4,173 |
154
|
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water,
and to support local efforts to protect and upgrade the supply of safe
drinking water. Your water bill or telephone books government listings
are a good starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the chemicals they
test for in your water, as well as how your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a valuable source
of information.
For help in locating these agencies or for information on drinking water
in general, call: EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and releases of chemicals in
your state, contact the: Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346.
List of Contaminants
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