What is PCE?
Tetrachloroethylene is also calledperchloroethylene, PERC, and PCE. We will refer to it here as PCE.
PCE is a man-made chemical used for dry cleaning fabrics and degreasing metal equipment. It is also used as a starting material for making other chemicals. PCE is used in some consumer products like glues, spot removers, and lubricants.
How can I be exposed to PCE?
PCE can be found in air, water, or soil.
People can be exposed to PCE from drinking contaminated water. Exposure can also occur from breathing in steam during showering or bathing with PCE-contaminated water.
Some Massachusetts communities have vinyl-lined asbestos cement (VLAC) drinking water pipes. PCE can leach from the lining into the drinking water. MassDEP encourages public water systems to replace VLAC pipes. Other options to reduce PCE levels include relining the pipes with solvent-free methods or flushing and bleeding the system. Public water suppliers with VLAC pipes are required to monitor for PCE, especially in areas with dead-end lines where the chemical can build up.
PCE evaporates quickly from water or shallow soil into air. Vapors with PCE from contaminated soil or groundwater can move into the indoor air of homes or buildings. This process is called vapor intrusion. Clothing that was recently dry cleaned can also release small amounts of PCE into air. People in these buildings can then be exposed to PCE by breathing contaminated air.
How can PCE affect my health?
Short-term exposure to high levels of PCE may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches. Long-term exposure can harm the central nervous system, kidneys, liver, and reproductive system.
Laboratory animals exposed to high levels of PCE during pregnancy had a higher risk of miscarriage. The babies exposed in utero were more likely to have birth defects and slowed growth.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers PCE likely to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Some studies suggest that exposure might increase the risk of bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
What is the drinking water standard for PCE?
The EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PCE is 0.005 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
In Massachusetts, local Boards of Health and Health Departments have the authority to regulate private wells. This may include setting criteria for their location, construction, water quality, and quantity. More information for residents who use private wells is available from MassDEP.
What are the testing requirements for PCE?
In Massachusetts, all public water systems are initially required to test for PCE for four consecutive quarters (every three months for a year). Testing must be repeated every three years. Based on the results, a public water system may test less often after approval by MassDEP.
Available data
Use the Explore drinking water data link on this page to access the following measures for PCE in drinking water:
- Annual maximum concentration by number of Community Water Systems and people served
- Annual average concentration by number of Community Water Systems and people served
- Annual average concentration by Community Water System
- Drinking water violations by Community Water System
MA EPHT presents data for the following geographies” city/town, county, EP region, or EOHHS region. Data are presented for public water systems only. The most current available data will be shown. Be sure to check the site periodically as new data are added.
Additional resources
Massachusetts
- MassDEP guide to water quality testing for private wells: Recommended water quality testing for private wells
National
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs for tetrachloroethylene: Frequently asked health questions about PCE
- EPA updates on final risk evaluation for perchloroethylene (PCE): Information about EPA’s 2022 final risk evaluation for PCE
- Toxic Use Reduction Act (TURA) data tool: Data about the use of toxics in Massachusetts communities collected under the Massachusetts Toxic Use Reduction Act (TURA) and provided by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute