Consumer Factsheet on: 1,1,2-TRICHLOROETHANE
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 1,1,2-TCE and how is it used?
1,1,2-Trichloroethane (1,1,2-TCE) is an organic liquid with a
chloroform-like odor. It is only used to make vinylidene chloride
which is in turn used to make synthetic fibers and plastic wraps
such as the saran wrap.
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:
Beta trichloroethane
Beta-T
Vinyl trichloride
Why is 1,1,2-TCE 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 1,1,2-TCE has been set at 3 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 5 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 1,1,2-TCE to potentially cause the
following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels
above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: irritation of
gastrointestinal tract; red or hemorrhaged lungs; pale liver.
Long-term: 1,1,2-TCE has the potential to cause the following
effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to
liver and kidneys; cancer.
How much 1,1,2-TCE is produced and released to the environment?
An estimated 124 million lbs. of 1,1,2-TCE was produced in the US
during 1974, based on the manufacture of vinylidene chloride. It
evaporates during its use in the manufacture of vinylidene chloride
and as a solvent. It is also released in wastewater from these
uses, and in leachates and volatile emissions from landfills. The
EPA estimates the gross annual discharge of 1,1,2-TCE waste in the
US to be 4 million lbs.
From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release
Inventory, 1,1,2-TCE releases to land and water totalled over
30,000 lbs., of which about 98 percent was to water. These releases
were primarily from alkali and chlorine industries. The largest
releases occurred in Louisiana and Texas.
What happens to 1,1,2-TCE when it is released to the environment?
When released into water, 1,1,2-TCE should primarily evaporate. In
soils, it should partially evaporate and partially leach into the
groundwater. Its break down by microbes, if it occurs, is very
slow. 1,1,2-TCE shows little tendency to accumulate in aquatic
life.
How will 1,1,2-TCE be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking
Water?
The regulation for 1,1,2-TCE became effective in 1994. 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
1,1,2-TCE 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
1,1,2-TCE so that it is consistently below that level. The
following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing
1,1,2-TCE: Granular activated charcoal in combination with Packed
Tower Aeration.
How will I know if 1,1,2-TCE is in my drinking water?
If the levels of 1,1,2-TCE exceed the MCL, 5 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: 3 ppb
Mcl: 5 ppb
1,1,2-TCE Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
| Water | Land |
TOTALS (in pounds) | 30,326 | 756 |
Top Five States* |
---|
LA | 14,481 | 332
|
TX | 9,699 | 294
|
NY | 4,570 | 130
|
MD | 750 | 0
|
KY | 447 | 0
|
Major Industries* |
---|
Alkalies, chlorine | 21,783 | 361
|
Photograph equipment | 4,570 | 130
|
Meat packing plants | 981 | 0
|
Petroleum refining | 959 | 0
|
Blast furnaces, steelworks | 750 | 0
|
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with releases greater
than a certain amount - usually 1000 to 10,000 lbs.
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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