trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene is an organic chemical compound that can contaminate drinking water systems. It is categorized as an organic contaminant under federal guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency has set a Maximum Contaminant Level of 100 μg/L for this substance.
Health Effects
Consuming water contaminated with trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene over a long period can result in health issues. The primary health concerns associated with this organic compound are liver damage and kidney damage. Avoiding elevated levels helps protect these vital organs.
How trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene Gets Into Tap Water
This chemical typically enters the environment from industrial facilities. The primary pathway into drinking water systems is through industrial discharge. Once released, the contaminant can migrate into ground or surface water sources.
How to Remove trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene From Your Water
Several water treatment methods can effectively reduce trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene levels. Packed tower aeration is a common method used to remove the chemical from water supplies. Additionally, granular activated carbon filtration systems are highly effective at absorbing this organic contaminant.
Should You Test Your Water?
You can check for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene by reviewing your local utility's annual consumer confidence report or searching on WaterQ. If you use a private well, you can have your water analyzed by a certified laboratory to test for organic compounds. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene dangerous in drinking water?
Drinking water containing trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene above the maximum contaminant level can be hazardous to your health. Long-term exposure to this organic compound can cause damage to both the liver and the kidneys. Treating water that exceeds safety standards is recommended to avoid these health risks.
How does trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene get into tap water?
It enters tap water systems primarily through industrial discharge. Industrial activities releasing the chemical can contaminate local water supplies.
How can I remove trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene from my water?
You can remove it by using treatment systems such as packed tower aeration or granular activated carbon filtration.
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and WaterQ National Database. For more contaminants, visit our contaminant library.
What actually removes vocs (benzene, tce, pce and related solvents)
Volatile organic compounds are the case where activated carbon genuinely shines — EPA lists granular activated carbon as the best available technology for most of them. Look for an NSF/ANSI 53 filter with a VOC reduction claim rather than a plain taste-and-odor cartridge. Because VOCs evaporate readily, they also enter the air during hot showers, so a whole-house carbon filter is worth considering when levels are high, not just a filter at the kitchen tap.
Works
- Carbon certified for lead (NSF 53)The cheapest thing that genuinely removes lead, cysts and many VOCs.
- Reverse osmosis (NSF 58)The broadest removal available at home: arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, PFAS, TDS.
- Catalytic carbonRequired for chloramine. Standard carbon barely touches it.
Will not fix this
- Ion-exchange water softener
- UV disinfection (NSF 55)
- Ion-exchange pitcher
Test before you buy.VOCs (benzene, TCE, PCE and related solvents) can't be seen, tasted or smelled, and the right hardware depends on the concentration you actually have. A certified lab test costs a fraction of the wrong filtration system. Start with your local water quality report, and get a mail-in lab test if you're on a private well.
Options that carry the right certification
Ordered cheapest-adequate first. Prices are indicative bands and move often.
| Product | Certification | Upfront | Per year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquasana AQ-5200 Under-SinkUnder-sink | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 and P473 certified.Catch:Carbon, not RO — no meaningful fluoride, nitrate or arsenic reduction. | $110–160 | $80–120 | Check price |
| SpringWell CF1 Whole-House CarbonWhole house | Catalytic carbon media, which is the grade required to reduce chloramine.Catch:Whole-house carbon protects showers and appliances but is not a substitute for a point-of-use lead or PFAS filter at the tap. | $900–1,400 | $0–100 | Check price |
| APEC ROES-50 EssenceUnder-sink | Built with WQA-certified components to NSF/ANSI 58.Catch:Needs an under-sink drain connection and a spare hole for the dedicated faucet. Strips minerals — some people dislike the flat taste. | $180–240 | $50–80 | Check price |
| Brita Elite Pitcher FilterPitcher | NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified, including a lead reduction claim.Catch:No fluoride, nitrate or arsenic reduction. Not PFAS-rated. | $25–40 | $50–70 | Check price |
Certification listings change. Before buying, confirm the current listing for the exact model in the NSF certified products database — a manufacturer's marketing page is not a certification. WaterQ earns a commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you; see our affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not medical or engineering advice.
For a full breakdown of certifications, running costs and the models worth considering, see our buying guide for vocs (benzene, tce, pce and related solvents).