Jump to main content or area navigation.

Contact Us

Water: Basic Information about Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants

Basic Information about trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene in Drinking Water

trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene at a Glance

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) = 0.1 milligrams per Liter (mg/L) or 100 parts per billion (ppb)

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) = 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb

Health Effects
Some people who drink water containing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.

Drinking Water Health Advisories provide more information on health effects

Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number
156-60-5

Sources of Contamination
Discharge from industrial chemical factories

List of all Regulated Contaminants (PDF) (6 pp, 396K, About PDF)

EPA regulates trans-1,2-dichloroethylene in drinking water to protect public health. trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene may cause health problems if present in public or private water supplies in amounts greater than the drinking water standard set by EPA.

What is trans-1,2-dichloroethylene?
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene is an odorless organic liquid that has two slightly different forms, a "cis" form and a "trans" form.

Uses for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene.
Both the cis and trans forms -- usually as a mixture -- are used as a solvent for waxes and resins; in the extraction of rubber; as a refrigerant; in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and artificial pearls; in the extraction of oils and fats from fish and meat; and in making other organics.

If you are concerned about trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene in a private well, please visit:

What are trans-1,2-dichloroethylene’s health effects?
Some people who drink water containing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could experience problems with their liver.

This health effects language is not intended to catalog all possible health effects for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene. Rather, it is intended to inform consumers of some of the possible health effects associated with trans-1,2-dichloroethylene in drinking water when the rule was finalized.

Top of page

What are EPA’s drinking water regulations for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe levels of contaminants in drinking water which do or may cause health problems. These non-enforceable health goals, based solely on possible health risks and exposure over a lifetime, are called maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG). Contaminants are any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substances or matter in water.

The MCLG for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene is 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb. EPA has set this level of protection based on the best available science to prevent potential health problems. EPA has set an enforceable regulation for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, called a maximum contaminant level (MCL), at 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb. MCLs are set as close to the health goals as possible, considering cost, benefits and the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies. In this case, the MCL equals the MCLG, because analytical methods or treatment technology do not pose any limitation.

The Phase II Rule, the regulation for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, became effective in 1992. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to periodically review the national primary drinking water regulation for each contaminant and revise the regulation, if appropriate. EPA reviewed trans-1,2-dichloroethylene as part of the Six Year Review and determined that the 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb MCLG and 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb MCL for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene are still protective of human health.

States may set more stringent drinking water MCLGs and MCLs for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene than EPA.

Top of page

How does trans-1,2-dichloroethylene get into my drinking water?
The major source of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene in drinking water is discharge from industrial chemical factories.

A federal law called the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) requires facilities in certain industries, which manufacture, process, or use significant amounts of toxic chemicals, to report annually on their releases of these chemicals. For more information on the uses and releases of chemicals in your state, contact the Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346.

Top of page

How will I know if trans-1,2-dichloroethylene is in my drinking water?
When routine monitoring indicates that trans-1,2-dichloroethylene levels are above the MCL, your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene so that it is below that level. Water suppliers must notify their customers as soon as practical, but no later than 30 days after the system learns of the violation. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.

If your water comes from a household well, check with your health department or local water systems that use ground water for information on contaminants of concern in your area.

Top of page

How will trans-1,2-dichloroethylene be removed from my drinking water?
The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene to below 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb: granular activated carbon in combination with packed tower aeration.

Top of page

How do I learn more about my drinking water?
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and to support local efforts to protect the supply of safe drinking water and upgrade the community water system. Your water bill or telephone book’s government listings are a good starting point for local information.

Contact your water utility. EPA requires all community water systems to prepare and deliver an annual consumer confidence report (CCR) (sometimes called a water quality report) for their customers by July 1 of each year. If your water provider is not a community water system, or if you have a private water supply, request a copy from a nearby community water system.

Other EPA Web sites

Top of page

Jump to main content.