Trichloroethylene

Regional record

Western New York history

• TCE is documented at regional metalworking, manufacturing, and disposal sites where historical degreasing produced soil, groundwater, and vapor-intrusion investigations.
• Atlas records keep the source area, mapped groundwater plume, and building-specific vapor findings separate because they are not interchangeable evidence.

These examples summarize the linked Atlas place records. Open those records for site-specific dates, findings, cleanup actions, and sources.

Environmental behavior

Persistence and movement

TCE can sink through groundwater as a dense liquid, remain in aquifers, and produce vapors that migrate into buildings.

Pathways

How exposure may occur

• Breathing workplace air or vapors entering buildings from contaminated soil or groundwater
• Drinking contaminated water
• Skin contact with concentrated products or contaminated water

People

Potential long-term human effects

• Long-term exposure can affect the immune system, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
• Evidence supports increased kidney-cancer risk, with additional cancer concerns evaluated by health agencies.
• Developmental effects are an important consideration in exposure assessment.

Other living systems

Potential ecological effects

• TCE can affect aquatic organisms at sufficient water concentrations.
• Groundwater plumes may carry TCE and its breakdown products to streams or wetlands.

Limits

Important uncertainty

TCE may break down into other hazardous chlorinated compounds, including vinyl chloride.