Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Trichloroethylene in Community Drinking Water Systems by Mean TCE Concentration and Community Water Systems, New Jersey, 2000 to 2023
Indicator Report Data View Options
Why Is This Important?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a chemical used primarily as an industrial degreaser and solvent. It is a nonflammable colorless liquid with a sweet odor similar to ether or chloroform. Drinking or breathing high levels of trichloroethylene may cause nervous system effects, liver and lung damage, abnormal heartbeat, coma, and possibly death. Inhalation is the most common exposure route. Volatilization from contaminated water (e.g., while showering) as well as the use of household products containing this solvent can result in indoor concentrations that are elevated above outdoor air concentrations.
Because of its moderate water solubility, trichloroethylene in soil has the potential to migrate into groundwater, primarily from leaching from waste disposal sites. The Federal Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) has reported that trichloroethylene is the most frequently reported organic contaminant in groundwater. ATSDR estimates that between 9 and 34 percent of drinking water supply sources have some trichloroethylene contamination but that most municipal water supplies are in compliance with the federal maximum contaminant level of 5 ug/L.
Definition
The distribution of trichloroethylene in drinking water by community water system, population served, and year
Data Source
Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection(https://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/index.html)
How the Measure is Calculated
Numerator:
Number of community water systems by TCE concentration in drinking waterDenominator:
Not applicable
Related Health Objectives and Indicators
Environmental Public Health Tracking Indicator DW-85
Description: Trichloroethylene (TCE) in community water systemshttps://ephtracking.cdc.gov/indicatorPages?selectedContentAreaAbbreviation=1&selectedIndicatorId=85