Carbon Tetrachloride

In 1978, approximately 739 million pounds of carbon tetra-
chloride were produced at 7 sites in the United States.

The bulk of this product was used as a starting material in
manufacture of fluorocarbon aerosol propellants. On October
15, 1978 FDA and EPA banned the manufacture of fluorocarbons
for the aerosol market. These federal regulations may have
resulted in a marked decline in the production of carbon
tetrachloride.

Historically, carbon tetrachloride has had a wide range of
applications. Since the 19th century, it has been used
extensively as an industrial chemical solvent, a metal
degreaser, a dry cleaning fluid and an ingredient in fire
extinguishers. Carbon tetrachloride can be a trace contami-
nant in chlorine.

EPA currently registers over 140 pesticidal products con-
taining carbon tetrachloride. In 1973 nearly 50 million
pounds of carbon tetrachloride were used as a fumigant to
kill insects in grains, households furnishings and fabrics. .
In 1977=78, over 19 million pounds of carbon tetrachloride
were used to fumigate grains off of farms; an additional 3.5
million pounds were used on the farm.

An estimated 96 million pounds of carbon tetrachloride were
released to the environment in 1978. Because of its vola-
tility, most of this carbon tetrachloride ends up in air.
Although carbon tetrachloride is extremely stable in water
the evaporative half-life of carbon tetrachloride in water
at ambient temperatures is only minutes. Carbon tetra-
chloride is highly soluble in organic matter and therefore
accumulates slightly in plant and animal tissue.

Levels in Drinking Water

Carbon tetrachloride is a relatively common contaminant of
finished drinking water. Of the systems tested in EPA surveys
which drew water from surface waters, 110 were found to contain
some level of carbon tetrachloride. On occasion, the concen-
tration of carbon tetrachloride was found to be in excess of

10 ug/l. However, some of the surface water data relates

to a number of cases of carbon tetrachloride contamination

of effluent discharges that are now known to no longer exist.
Some wells have also been found to be contaminated with carbon
tetrachloride. In an initial sampling of systems providing
ground water to large cities, carbon tetrachloride was observed

15


Table 15

Results of Samples with Detectable Purgeable Organics (ug/l)

1,l,l-tri- :
Well TCE PCE cel, chloro- Benzene Ethyl Toulene
ethane Benzene
San Gabriel Basin
A 7
B 2.9
Cc 6.5
D 33 2.6
E 3.2
P 4.2 5.0 3.5 2.0
G ll 12 . .
a 4.0 12
rT 17 11
J 9.0 4.2
K 15 6.2 0.5 0.5
L 7.3 6.8 18.0 0.5
M 12.0 6.0 17.1 0.5 0.5
N 9.2 4.4
Py 11.0 8.1 23.0 0.5 0.5
Pp 102.0 39.4 1.0 2.1
Bunker Hill Basin

aAaNINOAwY

Trace

Notes: 1. Sensitivity 0.5 ug/l for all compounds.
2. Sample P also has: 1,l-dichloroethene (0.8 ug/l);
1,2-dichloroethene (0.5 ug/l); chloroethane (0.7 ug/l)
1,l- and 1,2-dichloroethene (1.0 and 1.6 ug/1)

36


New York .

As a result of finding organic chemicals in public water
supplies in Nassau County in New York, a state-wide survey
was initiated in 1978 to assess the extent of contamination
of drinking water from ground water supplies. These surveys
were reported in "Organic Chemicals and Drinking Water.”

_ Table 12 presents the results of the Nassau County surveys
which showed that TCE and PCE were found in 56 and 48,
respectively, of the 372 wells tested. Table 13 presents
results of surveys of non-community water supply wells in
Nassau County. Surveys were also conducted of Suffolk
County community water supply wells and TCE and PCE were
found at similar frequencies. As a result, 13 community
water supply wells in Suffolk County and 15 communi ty wells
in Nassau County were closed.

Table 12

voCs Detected in Community
Water Supply Wells - Nassau County 4/78

Wells Wells Maximum Level
Tested Positive Detected ug/l
Tetrachloroethylene 372 56 "378
(PCE)
Trichloroethylene 372 48 300
(TCE) -
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 372 33 1o
Carbon tetrachloride 372 1 21
Table 13
VOCs Detected in Non-Community
Water Supply Wells - Nassau County
Wells Wells Maximum Level
Tested Positive Detected ug/l
Tetrachloroethylene 49 5 367
Trichloroethylene 49 3 30
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 49 4 150

The state-wide survey was conducted in 1978 by the United
States Geological Survey under contract to the New York
State Health Department. Thirty public water systems were
sampled during 1978 including a total of 47 samples from 39
wells. Table 14 summarizes the ten most commonly found
synthetic organic chemicals (includes more than just the

voCs). Figure 7 graphically displays where the VOCs were
found.

32


2s.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Briefing The
Occurrence of Volatile Organics in Drinking Water
(Office of Drinking Water), March 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Analysis by the
Office of Drinking Water of Unpublished Ground Water
Data from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Quality Engineering, July 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Compilation of data
from: A Preliminary Report on the Findings of the State
Ground Water Monitoring Project and A Second Preliminary
Report on the Findings of the State Ground Water Monitoring
Project, State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental
Protection, March and December 1978.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Analysis by the
Office of Drinking Water of Unpublished Ground Water
Data from Maine Department of Human Resources, April 1978.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Analysis by the Office
of Drinking Water of Unpublished Ground Water Data from
California Department of Health Services, November 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Community Water
Supply Survey (Office of Drinking Water), March 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Organics
Screening Program (SRI), March 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Organics
Reconnaisance Survey (Office of Drinking Water).

Woodhull, R. S., Ground Water Contamination in Connecti-
eut, July, 1980.

41


State-supplied data show one case where a well contained as
much as 35,000 ug/l of TCE. The greatest concentration of
TCE reported in New Jersey was 1,900 ug/l yet the mean was.
90.2 ug/l.


1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methyl Chloroform)

Methyl chloroform is a volatile organic compound which is

used primarily for metal cleaning, leather tanning, and as a
vapor depressant in aerosols and a solvent for adhesives, |

inks, drain cleaners and pharmaceuticals. In 1978 over

625,000 million pounds of this compound were manufactured in the
United States and an estimated 533 million pounds were

released to the environment. [It has been estimated that

over 88 percent of the environmental emissions go directly

into the air.

The major process for removing methyl chloroform from the
atmosphere appears to be photodegradation. The estimated
half-life for this compound in the troposphere is 4 to 12

years. Methyl chloroform is fat soluble and can be incorporated
into plant and animal tissue. Methyl chloroform is not highly
water soluble, but can move through soil to become a ground
water contaminant.

Levels in Drinking Water

Methyl chloroform has been detected in 33 of the 133 samples
of finished drinking water analyzed in the NOMS, NSP, and
Region V monitoring surveys conducted by EPA. These data
indicate that the concentrations in ground and surface water
are generally in the low ug/l range. Results from the |
Community Water Supply Survey showed that 3 of 106 surface
water samples and 15 of 330 ground water water samples
contained methyl chloroform. However, data from state
agencies indicate that some wells supplying potable

water have become highly contaminated with levels of methyl
chloroform as high as 401,300 ug/l being reported.

Available data concerning 1,1,l-trichlorocethane are
summarized in Table 6 and Figure 4.

19


© None Oetected
to O19 poo

@ =0.20 10 0.99 ppb
& =1.0 10 4.9 ppp
B ~5.0 10 99 ppp
@ ~2100 ppp

~ Well Sampted for
Purgeable Organics

Figure g. Results of San Gabriel Basin TCE/PCE Samples

re coe ee

%

Oetected
> = 01 100.99 pps

4 10 to 4,9 ppd
@ = 5.0 to 99 ppb

O- Well Sampted for .
Purgeoble Orgcnies --

Figure 9. Results of Sunker Hill Basin TCE/PCE Samples

hed


aun

© on

11

Frequency Distribution of 1,2-Dichloroethane
Frequency Distribution of Vinyl Chloride
Levels in Drinking Water

Public Water Supply Wells known to be
Contaminated with Synthetic Organic Chemicals
Results of San Gabriel Basin TCE/PCE

Samples

Results of Bunker Hill Basin TCE/PCE

Samples

Results of Santa Clara Valley TCE/PCE
Samples

Results of Owens Valley TCE/PCE Samples

25
28

34
37
37


TABLE 9
SUMMARY OF STATE DATA

# STATES # WELLS*

CHEMICAL TESTED TESTED % POSITIVE** MAX. ug/l
TRI CHLOROETHYLENE 8 2894 : 28 35,000
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE 4 1659 10 : 379
TETRACHLOROETHY LENE 5 1652 14 50
1,2-DICHLOROETHANE 2 1212 7 400
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE 3 1611 23 401,300
1,1-DICHLOROETHANE 9 78S 18 11,330
DICHLOROETHYLENES (3) 8 781 23 860
METHYLENE CHLORIDE 10 1183 2 3,600
VINYL CHLORIDE 9 1033 7 380

*Ratio of community wells to private wells is not known.

**Not a statistical value.

30


in treated well water for 9 cf 39 systems. However, of the

330 ground water systems studied during the Community Water
Supply Survey, only 6 were found to be contaminated. State
data reveals that higher levels of contamination do occur.

In New Jersey, 94 wells out of 394 tested were found to contain
carbon tetrachloride. The maximum value was over 100 ug/l.

Available data concerning carbon tetrachloride are sum-
marized in Table 5 and Figure 3.

16


1,2-Dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride) (DCE)

DCE is the largest volume chlorinated organic chemical in
production in the United States. Eleven billion pounds of
DCE were produced in the United States in 1977. It is
estimated that nearly 10 percent of the amount produced
enters the environment at production, use and disposal sites
across’ the nation.

A large amount of the DCE produced in the United States is

used as a raw material to produce vinyl chloride monomer,
vinylidene chloride, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloro-
ethane (methyl chloroform), perchloroethylene and ethylene-
amines. In 1977, it was estimated that nearly 96 percent of
the DCE production was used as an intermediate or a gasoline
additive. It was also used as a solvent for paints and
coating, an extraction solvent, a cleaning solvent, a pesticide
and in color film production.

DCE is highly volatile having an evaporation rate that is
approximately 78 percent that of either carbon tetrachloride
or gasoline. DCE can combine with water to form an azeo-
trope which distills at 71.9 C. DCE is fairly soluble in
water but is preferentially taken up in organic media.

Levels in Drinking Water -
To date, water from 196 public water systems using surface
water have been included in EPA monitoring programs. DCE
has been found in 7 of those samples. The highest concen-
tration of DCE found was 4.3 ug/l. Most samples recorded
as positive contained less than 1.0 ug/l. Recent data from
an additional 211 utilities failed to detect DCE.

DCE has also been reported as a contaminant in well water
analyzed from eight States, the majority of positive samples
being from northeastern States. Eighty-four of the 1,200
well water samples analyzed by various state agencies have
found DCE in finished drinking water.

A maximum concentration of 400 ug/l in well water has been
reported by state agencies. However, the next highest
concentration found was 100 ug/l and the third highest was
18.2 ug/l. Of the 12 States that have undertaken programs
to detect 1,2-dichloroethane in drinking water, eight States
have reported finding some evidence of contamination.
Initial data from EPA surveys show that only one of the

25 ground water supplies sampled contained DCE with the
concentration being approximately 0.2 ug/l.

22


ST

% POSITIVE

% POSITIVE

OMMU@00}.

ND

Figure 3
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

GROUND WATER

IXY N= 55.NOMs, NORS, NSP, REGION V STUDY
(N= 330 cwss
Ga N= ssaws

Noms.

T
50-100

T
100-600 = 5. 600

IN] N= 244 NOMS, NORS, NSP, REGION V AND OTS STUDIES

45 5-10 10-50
GAL
SURFACE WATER
S
N
N N SS
~~ 4 T aS
4.5 5-5 5-10 10-50

MG/L

Tr T T
50-100 100-500 - 7600


Te

Table 10

voCs - Most Frequently Found in New Jersey

Maximum
No. wells No. wells & Samples Found
210 ug/l >100 ug/l >Detection Limit Detection Limit (ug/l) ug/l
Carbon Tetrachloride a) 2 26.8 0.1 360
1,2-Dichloroethane 18 0 5.8 1.6 40
Tetrachlorethylene 16 2 22.7 0.1 --
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 65 5 21.0 2.0 | 600
Trichloroethylene 27 12 26.4 0.3 600
Dich lorobenzene . 8 2 4.8 2.2 9000
Trichlorobenzene 4 1 1.5 . 2.0 450
Table 11
voCs ~ Less Frequent Occurrence in New Jersey
Methyl chloride i) N.D.
Vinyl chloride 0.4 9.5
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 2.1 ; 2.7

1,1,2-Trichloroethane 2.0 , 31.1


Table 4

Levels of Tetrachloroethylene in Drinking Water

Survey # Sampled # Positive Range

State data *** 1652 231 -Tr=3,000 ug/l

NoMs** 113 22 Tr-3.1 ug/l

NSP* 142 24 Tr-3.2 ug/l

CWSS 452 22 0.5=30 ug/l
* G.C. single column identification, preliminary data

* Average of phases 1, 2, 3, quenched and terminal
“** May include well water not used for drinking water supply
State data is based on ground water sampling only; all other

survey data includes both ground and surface water sources.

13


be detected in earlier studies. Other issues may include
single "grab" samples being taken from systems which might
have had several wells or sources of water. Also, as systems
may have made changes in water sources and treatment methods,
the present water quality may be significantly different from
the quality at the time of sampling and analysis. These and
similar study characteristics have been included in the
following discussion, but the reader is referenced to the in-

dividual studies in making additional interpretations of the
data. .


L714

% POSITIVE

% POSITIVE

Figure 6

VINYL CHLORIDE
100 F GROUND WATER
ne I N N = 25 NOMS, NSP, REGION V STUDY
N
70}- N
wot K
N
sor N
40 N
r N
sof N
N
L N
20 N
10+ N
0 N v v N T To
ND <5 5-6 6-10 10-60 60-100 100-500 > 500
MG/L
100

SURFACE WATER

CMM

Syst

KV n= 133 Noms, NsP, REGION V AND OTS STUDIES

ND 45 6-5 5-10 10-60
. NGA

50-100

100-500

7 500


% POSITIVE

Sc

% POSITIVE

igure 45

12-DICHLOROETHANE

100 GROUND WATER
90 =
ao \N [XY N= 41 Noms, NoRS, NSP, REGION V STUDY
N (CI N= 329 cwss
70+ N
N G2 N= ss aws
N
30F N
20 fF N
10} N S
N W
| N N n
0 a a ~ T T T T v T
ND <6 5-5 6-10 10-60 60-100 100-600-5500
G/L
100 +
90 SURFACE WATER
ao + N
ol N IXY N= 196 Noms, NORS, NSP, REGION V AND OTS STUDIES
fo
50F N
40+ N
mai N
20+ N
10
N
a | NUN SS —
mi i] T T T T
ND 45 5-5 5-10 10-50 50-100 100-500 > 500

MG/L


° National Organics Reconnaisance Survey (NORS)

° National Organics Monitoring Survey (NOMS)

° National Screening Program for Organics in Drinking
Water (NSP)

° Community Water Supply Survey (CWSS)

° Rural Water Survey (RWS)

° Ground Water Supply Survey (GWSS)

Each survey focused on different sources of water, different
segments of the population and different chemical pollu-
tants. The number of systems sampled and chemicals that

were analyzed in each survey are shown in the Appendix.

The results of four surveys, NORS, NOMS, NSP and CWSS, form
the basis of the current knowledge about the occurrence of
volatile synthetic organic chemicals in the nation's drink-
ing water supplies. Two other limited surveys have also

been conducted and are referenced in several tables in

this document as the "Region V Survey” and the "OTS survey."
Results from the CWSS represent the best available data at this
time showing a national picture of the occurrence of VOCs in
drinking water from ground water sources. However, EPA
initiated the GWSS to provide a “statistically unbiased
national view" of how frequently public supplies using ground
water sources are contaminated by VOCs.

The GWSS includes sampling of approximately 1,000 public
water supply systems served by ground water supplies. The
objective of this survey is to further assess the frequency
and intensity of volatile organic chemical contamination in
the nation's ground water supplies. The final results are
expected in 1982. Results of the RWS will describe

the quality of well water serving individual homes and small
communities and will be available around March 1982.

Data from state agencies and EPA regional offices show that
most of the public water supplies drawing from wells are

free of VOCs. However, the results of nationwide studies
indicate that there are numerous examples of VOC contamination
of ground water. Current data on ground water contamination
points towards a potential for continued deterioration of the
drinking water quality of many wells across the United States.
Volatile organic chemicals have been found in drinking water
supplies in 46 states. The CWSS found that 13 of 29 samples
taken from ground waters serving communities over 10,000

people had detectable levels of some VOCs. Thirty seven of 301
samples from wells in communities serving less than 10,000 people
using ground water had detectable levels of some VOC. For

the great majority of these systems, contamination was at the
low ug/l level. However, according to other data collected

by state agencies, the level of contamination in well


VOLATILE SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION OF DRINKING WATER

Analytical techniques now permit detection of organic
contaminants in water at low levels. This enhanced
analytical capability has resulted in the detection of
contamination by a number of synthetic organic chemicals in
both surface and ground sources of drinking water.

“The widespread occurrence of organic chemicals in drinking
water is of concern because of the potential health risks
associated with human exposure to them. Several of these
chemicals are suspected carcinogens, others are known mu-
tagens and/or teratogens. Available data show that one
class of compounds, termed volatile synthetic organic chemicals
(VOCs), occur in both surface waters and ground
waters. Surface waters, when contaminated, are typically
contaminated by a broad spectrum of synthetic organic chemicals
at relatively low concentrations while ground waters can be
subject to contamination by one, two or several discrete
compounds, sometimes at high concentrations.

Ground water has generally been viewed as a pristine re-

source, unspoiled by human activities. The contamination of
ground water by synthetic organic chemicals was viewed as a
series of isolated problems caused by the accidental "mishandling"
of chemicals. The results of EPA surveys and the efforts

of many states have changed the perception of ground water
quality. Typically, major treatment is not considered necessary
for drinking water drawn from ground water sources and treatment
is generally not used. Over 100 million people currently use
ground water as their source of drinking water; approximately
50,000 public water systems and over 11 million private wells
draw upon ground water sources. Contamination of ground water
with volatile organics has been most common in urban or
industrial areas. Such contamination is generally believed to
be a result of improper surface or underground disposal of
hazardous waste from industrial activities. A ground water,
once contaminated, is likely to remain so for a long period of
time, since no natural cleansing processes are known to be
associated with its movement within the earth.

Since the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA has
initiated six major national monitoring efforts to gain
perspective on the frequency and intensity of organic chemical
contamination of drinking water supplies. The surveys
include:


Figure 2

36 NOMS, NSP, REGION V STUDY

(C] N= 330 cwss

87 RWS

?

T
(00-500

1

IN] N = 180 NOMS, NSP, REGION V AND OTS STUDIES

a a 8

2 2 a he

Z0O@ 8

8
ws te 3 B
2
te 2 s
= wi g #.
GS 2 $
fo} 3 ria = =
za w
fo) oO
az <
=2 ob
Ee) ; &
<q e 3
ee) [| me a
G WA *
=
ee WML
WMMMMMMMMMM0010603
rt 1 L 1 1 n 4. 1 1. 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 4. n n 1 4
seer 3e2¢eseaaeoe $8388 &8 :aee8e
BAILISOd % SAILISOd %

.5-5 5-10 10-50 50-100 100-500 7 500

45

ND

MG/L


Finished drinking water may simultaneously contain a number

ef vocs. One hundred thirty-six drinking water supplies drawing
water from surface waters tested by EPA were found to contain
one or more volatile organic compounds in one collected sample.
Water samples from 35 of these sites contained two volatile
organics simultaneously. An additional 33 of these sites
contained three or more of these chemicals. As shown in Table
.l, the concentration of each individual chemical was generally

at low microgram per liter levels (e.g. trichloroethylene:

the maximum level detected in the 43 positive samples of a

total of 133 sampled was 3.2 ug/l.). Recognizing that the

data are limited, comparison of the Tables 1 and 2 in general,
shows a higher frequency of occurrence in surface waters but
higher levels of vOCs in ground waters. Contamination, when
found, is commonly much less than 10 ug/l with smaller percentages
in the 10 to 100 ug/l and 100 to 1,000 ug/l ranges, respectively.
The State data, in particular, reflect noticeably higher levels
of contamination than the EPA surveys. This would be expected
since State sampling is often in response to a specific problem,
such as a spill or citizen complaints of taste and odor problems.
The finding of one of these compounds, regardless of level, is

a concern since these compounds are man-made chemicals not
normally present in the environment, and their presence indicates
the potential for further contamination of that source of
drinking water.

The. discussion that follows in this document is limited to
six compounds for which data are currently available:
trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, carbon tetrachlo-
ride, 1,1,l-trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane and vinyl
chloride. Similar data are being assembled and evaluated
for all of the other listed compounds. Discussions of the
occurrence of VOCs in air and food and the possible relative
contribution to total exposure from air, food, and water are
included in the draft health criteria documents for each
voc. An exposure assessment has not yet been conducted but
will be part of future analyses.

The data in this report comes from studies that were carried
out by the Environmental Protection Agency over the last six
years. In interpreting this data, the reader is cautioned

that extrapolations of this data should be made in the context
of the individual study. Generalizations above that made in
this report, or applications of this data to specific situations,
should not be made without reference to specific protocols

used in each individual study. For example, the quality of

the analytical instrumentation has improved over the period of
these studies and therefore the lower limit of detection has
decreased and the precision and accuracy has increased. There-
fore, the later studies may have reported values that could not

4


Table 6

Levels of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane in Drinking Water

Survey 4% Sampled # Positive Range
State Data *** 1611 370 “tr-401,300 ug/l
NOMS ** 113 9 Tr-1.3 ug/l
NSP* 142 32 Tr-21 ug/l
cCwSS 452 19 0.5-650 ug/l

* G.C. single column tentative identification, preliminary data

** Average of phases 1, 2, 3, quenched and terminal
we* May include well water not used for drinking water supply
State data is based on ground water sampling only; all other

surveys include both ground and surface water sources.

20


THE OCCURRENCE OF VOLATILE SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMICALS °

IN DRINKING WATER

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BRANCH
CRITERIA AND STANDARDS DIVISION
OFFICE OF DRINKING WATER

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

December, 1981


NATIONAL SCREENING PROGRAM FCR_ ORGANICS IN DRINKING WATER

EPA conducted a study from June 1977 to March 1981 entitled
National Screening Program for Organics in Drinking Water in
which raw and finished drinking water samples were collected from
169 water facilities, 12 of which used ground water sources. The
facilities were located in 33 states including Alabama, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia,

Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The samples were analyzed for 23 halocarbons, 6 aromatics,

and 22 pesticides, phenols, and acids.

The methods used for

analysis included gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The
chemicals included in the analysis of samples is given below:

PURGEABLE HALOCARBONS

Bromobenzene
Bromodichloromethane
Bromoform

Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorobenzene
Chloroethane

Chloroform

Chloromethane
Dibromochloromethane
1,1-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene

cis 1,2-Dichloroethylene
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Dichloromethane
p-Dichlorobenzene
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Trichlorofluoromethane
Vinyl chloride

43

BASE/NEUTRAL EXTRACT
FRACTION

Alachlor

Atrazine

Benefin

Biphenyl

Bis (2-chloroethyl) ether
Bromacil
1,4-Bromochlorobenzene
Butachlor

Cyanazine

Diazinon
Diphenylhydrazine
Disulfoton

Endrin

Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachloro-1, 3-butadiene
Hexachloroethane

Indene

Malathion

Methoxychlor

Methyl parathion
Nitralin

Parathion

PCMB (pentachloronitrobenzene)
Phorate

Propachlor

Propanil

Propazine


TABLE 2

OCCURRENCE OF SELECTED VOCs IN
PINISHED GROUND WATER - (EPA SURVEYS)

ee

# SITES

SAMPLED
TRICHLOROETHYLENE 402 4.0
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE 432 3.0
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE 413 5.6
1,2-DICHLOROETHANE 418 1.9
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE 399 4.5
CIS-, TRANS-, AND

1,1-DICHLOROETHYLENE 390 3.3

METHYLENE CHLORIDE 38 2.8
VINYL CHLORIDE 25 4.0

% POSITIVE
SAMPLES

MEAN*
ug/l

24.8
1.7
2.8
0.6

30.0

10.4
7.0
76

MAX.CONC.
ug/l

210
13
30

1.2

650

82
7.0
76

*Of the positive samples


TABLE 1

OCCURRENCE OF SELECTED VOCs IN
FINISHED SURFACE WATER (EPA SURVEYS)
—_

# SITES % POSITIVE MEAN* MAX

SAMPLED SAMPLES ug/l ug/l

TRICHLOROETHYLENE 133 32.3 0.47 3.2
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE 144 38.7 3.46 30
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE 180 12.8 . 1.49 21
1,2-DICHLOROETHANE 196 13.8 0.93 4.8
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE 133 16.5 0.56 3.3
CIS-, TRANS-, AND 1,l-

DICHLOROETHY LENE 103 4.9 0.66 2.2
METHYLENE CHLORIDE 178 18.0 1.8 13
VINYL CHLORIDE 133 2.3 3.43 9.8

*Of the positive samples


Bibliography

1.

8.

10.

ll.

12.

Chemical Economics Handbook, Stanford Research Institute,
CEH Manual of Current Indicators, Supplemental Data
June 1980.

International Commission for Radiological Protection,
Report of the Task Group on Reference Man, IRCP Publication,
23 Pergamon Press, 1975.

. Nelson, Stephen J., Kalifa, S., Baumann, F., "Purgeable

Organics in Four Ground Water Basins," California
Department of Health Services, June 5, 1981.

Kim, Nancy, and Stone, Daniel, "Organic Chemicals and
Drinking Water." New York State Department of Health,
undated (approx. 1980).

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National
Occupational Hazard Survey Data Search for Specific Com-
pounds, November 1976.

Tucker, Robert, "Ground Water Quality in New Jersey - An
Investigation of toxic Contaminants," Office of Cancer
and Toxic Substances Research, State of New Jersey,
March 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Level I Materials
Balance, 1,2-Dichloroethane (JRB Associates), February
1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft Criteria
Document for 1,2-Dichloroethane (Office of Drinking Water),
November 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft Criteria
Document for Chloride (Office of Drinking Water), November
1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Materials Balance
for Methyl Chloroform, Level II (JRB Associates),
January 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft Criteria
Document for 1,1,l-Trichloroethane (Office of Drinking
Water), November 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rebuttable Presump-
tion against Registration and Continued Registration of
Certain Pesticide Products - Carbon Tetrachloride.
Federal Register 45 (201) Part IV 68534-68584, October
1980 .

39


Table 8

Levels of Vinyl Chloride in Drinking Water.

Survey # Sampled # Positive Range

State Data 1033 73 Tr-380 ug/l

NOMS* 113 2 0.1-0.18 ug/l

NSP** 133 6 Trace-76 ug/l
* Average of phases 1, 2, 3, quenched and terminal

ee GC single column tentative identification, preliminary data
State data is based on ground water sampling only; all other

surveys include both ground and surface water sources.

27


PURGEABLE AROMATICS

Benzene

Styrene
Toluene
o-Xylene
m-Xylene

44

BASE/NEUTRAL EXTRACT
FRACTION

Pyrene

Simazine

Treflan
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

ACID EXTRACT FRACTION

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic
Acid (2,4-D)

Dicamba (banvel D)

2,4-Dichlorophenol

2,4-Dimethylphenol

o-Methoxyphenol

Penylacetic acid

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic
acid (2,4,5-T)

2-(2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy )
propionic acid (Silvex)

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol


Vinyl Chloride

In 1975 nearly 7 billion pounds of vinyl chloride monomer,
(VC) were produced in the United States. Polyvinyl chloride
(Pvc), a resin used for consumer and industrial products, is
produced from VC. According to the National Occupational
Hazard Survey, vinyl chloride is released into the work
environment at 1,400 to 36,000 plant sites across the
country. The high volatility of vinyl chloride allows it to
enter the environment from a number of sources, including

vc and PvC plants. The trapped vinyl chloride monomer, is
also easily liberated from PVC products, as well as indus-
trial wastes.

Levels in Drinking Water

vec was found in 3 of the 133 cities which draw upon surface
waters for potable water that have been sampled during EPA
surveys. The concentration ranged from 0.1 to 9.8 ug/l. The
mean concentration in finished water from positive supplies
was 3.4 ug/l.

A total of 25 cities that get their water from ground water
sources have been tested by EPA surveys for the presence of
ve. Only three of these finished waters were found to
contain a detectable level of vinyl chloride. The highest
level detected was 76 ug/l. However, State supplied data
has shown that contaminated ground water supplies may contain
as much as 380 ug/l.

Available data concerning vinyl chloride are summarized in
Table 8 and Figure 6.

26


water can be extremely high. Indeed, in one case as much as
35,000 ug/l of trichloroethylene was detected.

Data are limited, but several comprehensive state surveys
have shown that ground water contamination can be locally
intense. . Maine, testing all ground water supplies,

reported that 19 of 87 municipal wells contained one or more
voCs. California, testing 296 wells in the San Gabriel
Valley, found that 210 contained at least.a trace quantity
of trichloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene. In 1977, the
Connecticut legislature directed the Department of Health
Services to monitor the organic chemical content of all
public water supplies to determine what potential car-
cinogens were present. This testing program resulted in the
detection of VOCs, including TTHMS, in 87 percent of the wells
tested serving populations of 1,000 or more persons. This
percentage is based upon testing wells used by 78 of the 95
utilities.

Forty-four communities in Massachusetts have had some of their
public water supply wells severely contaminated with one or
more VOCs, while it is known that at least 16 incidents have
occurred in Connecticut, 25 in Pennsylvania, 12 in New York
and one or more in at least 40 other States.

This document presents the available data accumulated to
date on the occurrence of VOCs in drinking water supplies.
The VOCs that appear to be found most frequently include
the following:

trichloroethylene trichlorobenzene
tetrachloroethylene 1, l-dichloroethylene
carbon tetrachloride cis-1,2-dichloroethylene
1,1,1-trichloroethane trans-1,2-dichloroethylene
1,2-dichloroethane benzene

vinyl chloride chlorobenzene

methylene chloride dichlorobenzene

Tables 1 and 2 provide an overview of the occurrence of
several VOCs in finished surface water and groundwater,
respectively, obtained from EPA surveys.


Table 5

Levels of Carbon Tetrachloride in Drinking Water

Survey # Sampled 3 Positive Range

State data *** 1659 166 “tr-170ug/1

NoMS** 113 8 0.2=-29 ug/l

NSP* 142 37. Tr-30 ug/l

cwSS 452 9 252.8 ug/l
* G.C. single column tentative identification, preliminary data

** Average of phases 1, 2, 3, quenched and terminal

8
*** May include well water not used for drinking water supply
State data is based on ground water sampling only; all other

surveys include both ground and surface water sources.


FE

Figure 7

KEY:

PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WELLS KNOWN TO BE
CONTAMINATED WITH SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMICALS

MARCH 1979

@ ANTHRACENE
BEHZENE
ETHYL BENZENE
TOLUENE
XYLENE

A PHTMALATES

@ TETRACHLORDETHYLENE
TRICHLOROE THANE
TRICHLOROE THYL ENE
VintYi CHLORIDE

* PCA



- California

In response to detection of voCs in ground water in several
California water basins and in other States, the California
Department of Health Services conducted a survey to determine
the extent of VOC contamination of public water supplies
using wells. This was reported by Nelson, Kalifa and Baumann
in "Purgeable Organics in Four Ground Water Basins." Four
water basins were included in the survey: San Gabriel,

Bunker Hill (in San Bernardino Valley), northern Santa Clara
Valley, and the Owens Valley. Each basin was studied in two
phases. Initially all available wells supplying “large”
public water systems were sampled for TCE and PCE. The
second phase involved resampling of at least 13 percent of
the wells for purgeable halocarbons and aromatics.

Results of the TCE and PCE testing are shown in Figures 8
through 11. (Where wells of similar TCE/PCE levels are
nearby, only one symbol has been used to indicate the wells.)
The larger circles indicate locations of wells sampled for
purgeable organics. The results of purgeable organics tests
showing contamination are listed in Table 15.

In the San Gabriel vally, 82 wells were tested for TCE and
PCE, and 36 for purgeable organics. The predominant consti-
tuents identified, TCE and PCE, mark the areas of organic
contamination. Only one well free of TCE and/or PCE contained
other organics (7 ug/l of benzene). The contaminated areas
are generally near and downgradient of major industrial

areas.

One hundred thirty-eight wells were sampled for TCE and PCE
in the Bunker Hill Basin, with 24 wells sampled for purgeable
organics. The only contaminants found were TCE and PCE.

TCE and PCE occurred in discrete areas. Overall contaminant
levels were lower in this basin than in the San Gabriel
Valley.

No serious volatile organic contamination was found in the
Santa Clara Valley wells sampled (183 and 24 wells sampled
for TCE/PCE and purgeable organics, respectively). The
extent of contamination in this basin differs little from
that in the Owens Valley.

In the Owens Valley Basin, one out of 27 wells showed a

trace of PCE in the initial sampling. The purgeable organics
retest did not indicate any contamination.

35


In addition to those EPA studies, the Community Water
Supply Survey examined 329 public ground water supply systems
and found only four which contained DCE. The maximum value
reported in this study was 1.8 ug/l.

Available data concerning 1,2-dichloroethane are summarized
in Table 7 and Figure 5.

23


Table
No.

re Oo YW Dn HW B® UNE

12
13
14

15

LIST OF TABLES

Title

Finished Surface Water--EPA Surveys
Finished Ground Water-~-EPA Surveys
Levels of Trichloroethylene in Drinking
Water

Levels of Tetrachloroethylene in
Drinking Water

Levels of Carbon Tetrachloride in
Drinking Water

Levels of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

in Drinking Water

Levels of 1,2-Dichloroethane in
Drinking Water

Levels of Vinyl Chloride in Drinking
Water

Summary of State Data

voCs = Most Frequently Found in New
Jersey

vocs - Less Frequent Occurrence in
New Jersey

VOCs Detected in Community Water Supply
Wells - Nassau County 4/78

vocs Detected in Non-Community Water
Supply Wells - Nassau County

The Ten Most Commonly Found Organic
Chemicals Detected in New York System
Wells = 10/78

Results of Samples with Detectable
Purgeable Organics (ug/l)

LIST OF FIGURES

Frequency Distribution of Trichloroethylene

Levels in Drinking Water

Frequency Distribution of Tetrachloroethylene

Levels in Drinking Water
Frequency Distribution of Carbon
Tetrachloride Levels in Drinking Water

Frequency Distribution of 1,1,1-Trichloro-"

ethane Levels in Drinking Water

Page

10
13
17
20
24
27

30
31

31
32
32
33

36

ll
14
18
21


APPENDIX EPA SURVEYS: CHARACTERISTICS

NATIONAL ORGANICS RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY

The National Organics Reconnaissance Survey (NORS)
was conducted early in 1975 for the purpose of determining
levels of four trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane,
dibromochloromethane, and bromoform), carbon tetrachloride,
and 1,2-dichloroethane in finished water supplies from
80 cities across the country (65 cities used surface water
sources and 15 used ground water sources). A population
base of 36 million was covered during the study. Analysis
of samples was performed by the Water Supply Research Laboratory
of the EPA in Cincinnati using a purge and trap GC technique.

The chemicals included in the analysis of samples are
listed below:

chloroform
bromodichloromethane
dibromochloromethane
bromoform

1, 2-dichloroethane
carbon tetrachloride

NATIONAL ORGANICS MONITORING SURVEY

The National Organics Monitoring Survey (NOMS) was
conducted to determine the frequency of occurrence of specific
organic chemicals in finished water supplies of 113 cities
across the country, 19 of which used ground water sources.
Among the chemicals surveyed for were trihalomethanes,
1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene,
benzene, vinyl chloride, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene,
and others. Data from three phases of the study were collected
over a year's time (1976) to reflect any long term or seasonal
variations. The analytical treatment of the samples was
similar to that for the National Organics Reconnaissance
Survey samples. The chemicals included in the analysis of
samples is given below:

chloroform pentachlorophenol
bromodichloromethane PCBs
dibromochloromethane flouranthene

bromoform 3,4-benzoflouranthene
dichloroiodomethane 3,4-benzopyrene .
1, 2-dichloroethane indeno (1,2,3-CD) pyrene
carbon tetrachloride p-dichlorobenzene
methylene chloride m=-dichlorobenzene
vinyl chloride 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
trichloroethylene 2,4-dichlorophenol
tetrachloroethylene

1,1,1-trichloroethane
bis (2 chloroethyl) ether
benzene

42


13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft Criteria
Document for Carbon Tetrachloride (Office of Drinking
Water) November 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft Criteria
Document for Tetrachlorcethylene (Office of Drinking.
Water), November 1981.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Preliminary Study
of Selected Potential Environmental Contaminants (Franklin
Institute), July 1975.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Pollution
Assessment of Tetrachloroethylene (MITRE Corporation),
February 1976.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Draft Criteria
Document for Trichloroethylene (Office of Drinking Water),
November 1981. .

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, An Assessment of
the Need for Limitations on Trichloroethylene, Methyl
Chloroform and Perchloroethylene (Midwest Research
Institute), July 1979.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Level I Materials
Balance, Trichloroethylene (JRB Associates), April
1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental
Sources of Trichloroethylene Exposure, Source Contri-
bution Factors (MITRE Corporation), November 1978.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Compilation of
Incidents of Drinking Water Contamination With Volatile
Organic Chemicals (Office of Drinking Water), November
1980,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Survey of EPA
Regional Drinking Water Representatives to Determine
the Ground Water Monitoring Data Developed by State
Agencies, February 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Survey of Oper-
ating and Financial Characteristics of Community Water
Systems (Temple, Barker and Sloane), April 1977.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Quantitative Risk

Assessment for Community Exposure to Vinyl Chloride
(Kuzmack, A. M. and McGaughy, R. E.), December 1975.

40


Table 3

Levels of Trichloroethylene in Drinking Water

Tr-35,000 ug/l
0.2-49.0 ug/l
Tr-53 ug/l

Surve: # Sampled Positive Range
State Data *** 2894 810
NOMS** 113 16
NSP* 142 36
CcWwSS 452 15

0.5-210 ug/l

* G.C. single column tentative identification, preliminary data

** Average of phases 1, 2, 3, quenched and terminal

*** May include well water not used for drinking water supply

State data is based on ground water sampling only; all other surveys

include both ground and surface water sources.

10


Tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is a chlorinated industrial chemical
that is used for scouring and dry cleaning textiles, degreas-
ing metal, fluorocarbon production, aerosols, speciality
laundry treatment and anthelminthic medicinals. Tetra-
chloroethylene is an ingredient in 33 pesticide formulations
used in fogging machines, livestock sprays and dips, house-
hold sprays, moth proofers, fly sprays and fumigating gases.

In 1978, over 725 million pounds of PCE were produced at ll
Plants in the United States. It has been estimated that
nearly 606 million pounds of PCE were liberated into the
environment in 1978. The half-life of PCE in air is esti-
mated to be between 1 and 27 days. Sunlight hastens the
breakdown of tetrachloroethylene and while accumulation in

the upper atmosphere is limited, the concentration in ambient
air can increase when air movement is limited. PCE spilled
into surface waters will evaporate into the air in less

than one week. However, PCE trapped in the soil or contaminating
ground water will remain as a contaminant for years or decades.

Levels in Drinking Water

Forty-three of 180 surface supplies were found to contain at
least a trace quantity of PCE. The vast majority of these
were found to contain less than 3 ug/l.

The degree of contamination of underground aquifers is not
clearly known. Prior to 1980, a limited number of public
water systems (36) using ground water were included in EPA
studies. Nine of these sources were found to contain a
measurable quantity of PCE. The majority of these public
water systems were found to contain less than 3 ug/l of PCE
in their finished product, but one system showed levels of
contamination above 30 ug/l.

Since then, the Community Water Supply Survey has sampled

an additional 330 public water supplies which use ground

water. Eighteen were found to have detectable levels

of PCE, ranging from 0.5 ug/l to 30 ug/l. It appears that systems
serving greater than 10,000 persons may be contaminated more
frequently than smaller size systems (i.e., 4 of 29 showed
evidence of contamination).

Data reportedly collected by state agencies shows that 231 of
the 1600 plus wells tested across the country have been found
to be positive for PCE; the maximum level of contamination
approached 3,000 ug/l. Ten of sixteen States which have looked
for tetrachloroethylene have found detectable levels. In New
Jersey, 22 of 160 wells tested contained tetrachloroethylene.
The maximum value of the positives was 90.6 ug/l, and the mean
was 6.4 ug/l. Available data are summarized in Table 4 and
Figure 2.

12


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volatile Synthetic Organic Chemical Contamination of Drinking

WACOLs ceccccere er vcencrsreerseesssseereseneesesseseesereens

Trichloroethylene

Background...secssseceee
Levels in Drinking Water...

Tetrachloroethylene

BaCkgGround..scscceccerccceccersersssecccrecsecsssssssers
Levels in Drinking Water..cecccccccccccccecccccceccceeee

Carbon Tetrachloride

BACKGLOUNG. coerce e cence ccc er serene eeesacseeseeecesese
Levels in Drinking Water... cccceccscsccccccevesceccvcers

1,1,1 Trichloroethane

Background....s.eeeesee seeceees
Levels in Drinking Water. .cccccccccscccsccccvcesssscces

1,2 Dichloroethane

Background. ... ccc cc eee cc cece cece cence nsec en eereeseeseses
Levels in Drinking Water. ..ecccecsecececccesevccevsevees

Vinyl Chloride

BaCKGLOUNd.. cc eer cree cece cere e renee ce st se eresesseeeses
Levels in Drinking Water..eccccsccccccsccssccsssessssees

Occurrence Data from State SurveyS...-.cessscerescrccrevecene
New Jersey...

New York.....
California. sccccccecccccccesrrccsccsccsssescscusececseee

Se ry

RELCTENCES. . eee ec ee serene nce e ere ee es eases esse sees eeeeeseens

Appendix-EPA Surveys: Characteristics. ...ssseesserereeceence

12
12

15
15

19
19

220
22


ce

Table 14

The Ten Most Commonly Found Organic Chemicals
Detected in New York Water System Wells - 10/78

Wells Wells Maximum Level
Contaminants Tested Positive Detected (ug/l)
Bis (2-ethylhexy1])phthalate 39 36 170.0
Toluene 39 33 10.0
Di-n-butyl phthalate 39 21 470.0
Trichloroethylene 39 18 19.0
Ethyl benzene 39 17 40.0
Diethyl phthalate 39 13 4.6
Trichlorofluoromethane 39 : 11 13.0
Anthracene/Phenanthrene 39 7 21.0
Benzene 39 6 9.6

Butyl benzyl phthalate 39 5 38.0


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Preface

This document summarizes the available occurrence data that
have been assembled to date on|\volatile synthetic organic
chemical {VOCs} contamination of drinking water. Information
is presented om both surface and ground waters but the primary
focus is upon VOC contamination of ground waters.} The data
included are not meant to be represented as a Comprehensive
data set but rather that which the Office of Drinking Water
has been able to collect and assemble at this time. Data
collection efforts are continuing and the reader is requested

to provide any additional information and data that might be
available.


COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY SURVEY

The Community Water Supply Survey (CWSS) sampled a
total of 452 water supplies, of which 330 used ground water
sources, in 1978 for trihalomethanes and other volatile
organic chemicals. The system sizes sampled ranged from
25 to 100,000 persons served, and data are available for .

7 system size categories based on population served. One

to five samples were collected from each system and included
raw, finished and distribution water. The chemicals included
in the analysis of samples is given below:

chloroform
dibromochloromethane
bromodichloromethane
bromoform

1, 2-dichloroethane
carbon tetrachloride
chlorobenzene

cis + trans dichloroethylene
tetrachloroethylene
1,1,1-trichloroethane
trichloroethylene
toluene

benzene

xylenes


. Occurrence Data from State Surveys

A number of States have conducted comprehensive surveys of
public water systems within their boundaries for the purpose
of assessing VOC contamination of drinking water. In addition,
several States have conducted limited surveys of certain

water systems in response to incidences of spills or citizen
complaints of poor water quality. Several of these surveys

and resulting data are discussed briefly in the following
sections.

In general, the state data are extremely limited; all state
data compiled thus far are from secondary sources. No verifi-
cations are currently available; the conditions of sampling,
analysis and quality control are unknown. Table 9 summarizes
these data. The data and following discussion do not
represent a national picture since comprehensive State surveys
were available for very few States. The objective is to
portray the data that are available and attempt to provide
some idea of the contamination characteristics of incidences
of voCs in drinking water.

Examples of State surveys from several States are provided
below: .

New Jersey

. In a March 1981 report entitled, "Ground Water Quality in
New Jersey," reported the results of state sampling surveys
of 670 wells (including potable, industrial and monitoring
wells). Fifty chemicals were looked for including VOCs, pesti-
cides, and metals. One or more of eight VOCs were found at
concentrations above 10 ug/l in lll of the wells tested (includes
chloroform). In 21 of the wells, one or more of the eight
VOCs were above 100 ug/l. These results are shown in Table 10
(excluding chloroform). Several other VOCs were looked for
but were found much less frequently as shown in Table 1l.

29


San Francisco Bay

© - Nene
Detected

@ = 0.1 to 0.99 ppb
= Well Samted for
Purgeabie Organics _

.

° 2 ami
o-2 fim .

:* O= None Detected
* @-O.1 to 0,99 ppb

Geni
———
° 10-20 um

O : Well Sompled for Purgeable Orgonics

Figureill. Results of Qwens valley TCE/PCE Samples

38


Table 7

Levels of 1,2-Dichloroethane in Drinking Water

Surve' # Sampled #Positive Range

State Data*** 1212 85 Tr-400 ug/l
NOMS** 113 2 1.2-1.8 ug/l
NSP* 142 2 Tr-4.8 ug/L
cwss 451 4 0.51.8 ug/l
* G.C. single column tentative identification, preliminary data

** Average of phases 1, 2, 3, quenched and terminal
*** May include well water not used for drinking water supply
State data is based on ground water sampling only; all other

surveys include both surface and ground water sources.

24


Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a high volume industrial chemical
which is used extensively as a solvent for degreasing
metals. In 1978 over 301 million pounds of this chemical
were produced in the United States. TCE is a component of
Many commercial and consumer products. Because TCE is
volatile, it is readily lost into the environment at points
of manufacture, use or disposal. An estimated 267 million
pounds were released to the environment in 1978. TCE is
only produced synthetically; it is not a naturally occuring
substance.

Trichloroethylene in air is broken down by ultraviolet light
and decomposes by reacting with free radicals such as NOx.
The calculated half-life of TCE in air ranges from 2 to 42
days. TCE is soluble in fats and therefore can enter the
food chain and can be passed along to higher organisms
through the consumption of fatty foods. TCE spilled into
Porous soil can move downward toward ground water and conta-
minate an aquifer. The reported half-life of TCE in water
is between 7 and 30 months.

Levels in Drinking Water

The reported levels of trichloroethylene in drinking water

are summarized in Table 3. A total of 133 locations using
surface water supplies have been sampled during EPA surveys.
The finished waters serving 43 of these sites were found to
contain some TCE. The concentration of TCE in these water
supplies ranged from 0.06 to 3.2 ug/l. The average
concentration in positive water supplies was 0.47 ug/l.

Forty supplies contained a level of TCE which was below 1 ug/l.
Three of the supplies contained a concentration between 1 to
3.2 ug/l (Figure 1).

A total of 25 locations that draw water from ground water
sources were sampled for TCE during the NOMS, NORS, NSP and
EPA Region V surveys. Nine of these finished waters were
found to contain detectable concentrations of this chemical.
The median level detected was 0.31 ug/l with a range from
0.11 to 53.0 ug/l.

The Community Water Supply Survey examined an additional 330
ground water systems selected randomly from across the country.
Four percent of these systems were found to contain a detect-
able level of trichloroethylene. TCE was found in finished
water from small and large systems alike. However, 3 of 29

of the systems serving 10,000 to 100,000 people were reportedly
positive while only 3 of 156 of these serving 25 to 5090
Population group were pbositive.

8


RURAL WATER SURVEY

The Rural Water Survey, conducted in 1978, was carried
out in response to the Safe Drinking Water Act which mandated
that EPA "conduct a survey of the quantity, quality and
availability of rural drinking water supplies." Eight
hundred samples collected from across the U.S. were analyzed
for trihalomethanes and for carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroe-
thane,cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene,
T/T, i-trichloroethane, and trichloroethylene. The results,
which will describe the presence of these chemicals in
supplies serving single households as well as some larger
systems, are expected to be available in March 1982.

GROUND WATER SUPPLY SURVEY

The Ground Water Supply Survey (GWSS) involves the
sampling of 1000 public water supply systems across the
country using groundwater sources for VOC contamination.
Five hundred of the systems were selected randomly while
the other five hundred were selected with state and EPA
regional input on the basis of the likelihood of VOC con-
tamination. The results are expected in early 1982 and will
be available from EPA when compiled. The chemicals included
in the analysis of samples is given below:

vinyl chloride | .

1,1-dichloroethylene

1,1-dichloroethane

cis and/or trans-1,2-dichloroethylene

1,2-dichloroethane

1,1,1-trichloroethane

carbon tetrachloride

1, 2-dichloropropane

trichloroethylene

tetrachloroethylene

benzene

toluene

ethylbenzene

bromobenzene

m-xylene

o+p-xylene

p-dichlorobenzene

1,1,2-trichloroethane

1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane
\ 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane

chlorobenzene

1, 2-dibromo-3-chloropropane

n=-propylbenzene

o-chlorotoluene

p-chlorotoluene

m-dichlorobenzene

46


% POSITIVE

Figure 1
TRICHLOROETHYLENE
GROUND WATER

N= 25 NOMS, NSP, REGION V STUDY
(CJ N= 330 cwss
GA N= 68 Aws

Larptne:

Neate Tipe oe

sre E a

NA a r SS 4 rT

TI

ND <5 5-5 6-10 10-50 60-100 100-500 > 500

% POSITIVE

100

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

MG/L

SURFACE WATER

5-5 5-10 . 10-50
MG/t

IN] N= 133 NOMS, NSP, REGION V AND OTS STUDIES