Regulatory Context

TCE Fact Sheet

Regulatory Context
Due to its serious adverse effects on human and environmental health, TCE is subject to many regulations at the state and federal levels.

Federal Environmental Regulations

EPCRA: Reportable under Toxic Release Inventory, Subject to Tier II reporting requirements; Reportable Quantity = 100 lbs.

CAA: Hazardous air pollutant; Vapor degreasers must meet the national emissions standards for halogenated solvents.

RCRA: Land disposal of TCE and all chlorinated solvents banned. Waste must be destroyed in incinerators or cement kilns. Characteristic Toxic Hazardous Waste: TCLP Threshold = 0.5 mg/L. Listed Hazardous Waste: U228, F001, F002, F024, F025, K018, K019, K020.

CWA - Water Quality Criteria: Based on fish/shellfish and water consumption = 2.5 μg/L; based on fish/shellfish consumption only = 30 μg/L.

SDWA: The maximum contaminant limit set for drinking water is 0.005 mg/L.

FDA: Maximum permissible level in bottled water = 0.005 mg/L; TCE may be used as a solvent in the manufacture of specified foods.

Federal Occupational Exposure Limits

OSHA: Permissible exposure limit (PEL) = 100 ppm; Ceiling Concentration = 200 ppm; Acceptable Peak Exposure = 300 ppm (5 minutes in any 2 hours).

ACGIH: Recommended threshold limit value - Time-Weighted Average Limit (TLV-TWA) = 10 ppm; Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL) = 25 ppm.

NIOSH: Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) = 25 ppm (as a 10-hour TWA); Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) = 1000 ppm; Listed as a potential occupational carcinogen.

State Regulations

Massachusetts: TCE is a designated high hazard substance, with an annual reporting threshold of 1,000 lbs; Threshold Effects Exposure Limit 24-hour average: 36.52 μg/m3 (6.80 ppb); Allowable Ambient Limit annual average: 0.61 μg/m3 (0.11 ppb)

California: PEL: 25 ppm (135 mg/m3); Listed as a carcinogen under Proposition 65.

Endnotes: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Revised Air Guidelines; Mass DEP Standards and Guidelines for Contaminants in Massachusetts Drinking Waters, 2007; MassDEP Maximum Concentration of Contaminants for Toxicity Characteristic; California Department of Health Services Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service Fact Sheet: Trichloroethylene; NIOSH Pocket Guide http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/pgintrod.html; US EPA, Ground Water & Drinking Water Consumer Factsheet on: Trichloroethylene; American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices, 2005.