Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is a colorless organic liquid with a mild, chloroform-odor. Its widest use is in the textile industry, and as a component of aerosol dry-cleaning.
Why is Tetrachloroethylene being Regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water that have or may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Goals.
MCLG for PCE was set at zero because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause potential health problems described below. Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are as close to MCLGs as possible, given the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
MCL was set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, it 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 regulations to ensure that these standards are met, are called the Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public water supplies must comply with these regulations.
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