Risk Assessment
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Environmental Health Division
Technical and Application Information for Trichloroethylene (TCE)
The Health Risk Limits (HRLs) for TCE in drinking water are set at levels which pose little or no health risk to people, including sensitive or highly exposed subpopulations such as fetuses, infants, children, and people with impaired immunity. HRLs are based on current scientific knowledge about TCE and are re-evaluated as new information becomes available.
| Health Risk Limit (HRL) | Description |
|---|---|
| 0.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L) | This level protects all people exposed to TCE in drinking water at any time during their life, from conception through old age. This value is based on developmental and immune effects. |
| 2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L) | Protects against cancer for all people who are exposed for an entire lifetime, from conception through old age. Also protects healthy adults who are only exposed to TCE after age 18. Protects pregnant women and the developing fetus. |
The MDH Technical Guidance document for TCE (PDF) contains a detailed explanation of these values. The guidance is intended to help those who use health-based guidance to make decisions about managing exposures to TCE.
Please also refer to the TCE Toxicological Summary (PDF) and Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Water (PDF) information sheets which are also available from the TCE entry in the Human Health-Based Water Guidance Table.
Other MDH resource for TCE: