TCE

The chemical compound trichloroethylene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is a clear non-flammable liquid with a sweet smell.

Human exposure to trichloroethylene is potentially widespread. It is a common contaminant in soil and groundwater at hundreds of waste sites across the United States.

Some are exposed to TCE through contaminated drinking water.

Others are potentially exposed through inhalation of vapor from contaminated soil or groundwater entering nearby buildings.

Another significant source of vapor exposure in Superfund sites that had contaminated groundwater, such as the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, was by showering. TCE readily volatilizes out of hot water and into the air. Long, hot showers would then volatalise more TCE into the air.  In a home closed tightly to conserve the cost of heating and cooling, these vapors would then recirculate.

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