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* 332
| LA |
14,481
|
|
| 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
|