CLU-IN.ORG | Contaminant Focus: TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE), Policy and Guidance

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

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Policy and Guidance

Trichloroethene is listed as a priority pollutant under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and has a Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) maximum contaminant limit of 5 µg/L. It is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as a spent solvent process waste and as a characteristically toxic waste (any material leaching greater than 0.5 mg/L). The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) requires reporting of releases of TCE above 100 pounds (about 8 gallons), while the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) lists TCE as a chemical requiring reporting under its community right-to-know provisions. Guidance documents that address dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLS) will generally have a section that addresses TCE and other chlorinated solvents.

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, 40 CFR 141.61: Maximum Contaminant Levels for Organic Contaminants
U.S. EPA, Office of Water.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Regulations, 40 CFR 261
U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste.

Toxic Chemical Release Reporting: Community-Right-to-Know, 40 CFR 372
U.S. EPA, Office Emergency and Remedial Response.

Locating and Estimating Air Emissions from Sources of Perchloroethylene and Trichloroethylene
U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
EPA 450/2-89/013, 1989

Soil Screening Guidance: User's Guide
U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
Directive 9355.4-23, 1996
Contact: David Cooper, cooper.davide@epa.gov