News Release
2003-100
December 11, 2003
For immediate release
Proposed new guideline for trichloroethylene (TCE) in drinking water
OTTAWA - Health Canada and the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee
on Drinking Water are in the process of revising the Canadian guideline for trichloroethylene
(TCE) in drinking water. It is proposed that the guideline should be lowered from 0.05
mg/L (or ppm, parts per million) to 0.005 mg/L. The consultation document for this proposed
guideline has been posted on Health Canada's website.
Recent studies suggest a possible link between long term exposure to high levels of TCE
and cancer. In addition, preliminary studies are indicating a possible link between exposure
to high levels of TCE and potential reproductive effects associated with fetal heart development.
However, even at high concentrations of TCE, current studies show only a very low rate
of reproductive health effects. Further studies are required to confirm these reproductive
effects as well as their long term significance to human health. The proposed Canadian
guideline of a maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L of TCE in drinking water
is considered protective against both the cancer risks and potential reproductive effects.
TCE is not a concern for the majority of Canadians, particularly those who rely on surface
water, such as lakes and rivers, as their source of drinking water. TCE can be introduced
into groundwater as a result of industrial discharges or spills, or leaking from old dump
sites. TCE has been identified as a concern at a few sites, where the public has been informed
and remedial action is being taken. Based on existing information, Health Canada and the
Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water have not identified any other
area or region in which the current level of TCE exceeds the proposed guideline of 0.005
mg/L. While monitoring for TCE is fairly extensive, information for individuals or small
communities dependent on well water is often lacking. TCE contamination could be a potential
problem if the wells are located near an old industrial dump site.
TCE is a volatile solvent used extensively in the automotive and metal industries for
degreasing and cleaning of metal parts. The Solvent Degreasing Regulations under the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act 1999, which came into force in July, 2003 are designed
to significantly reduce the use and release into the environment of TCE in Canada.
Water system owners and operators, including private well owners, who know or suspect,
through previous testing, that their groundwater supply may be contaminated by TCE should
consult their local authorities for more information, including environment officials and
the medical officer of health.
Health Canada publishes the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, which
are developed by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water. All the
provinces and territories use the Guidelines as a basis for establishing their own requirements
for drinking water quality, which are adopted and used in regulating drinking water quality
in their jurisdiction.
The development of a drinking water guideline includes close collaboration with scientific
experts in Canada and internationally, and with provincial and territorial departments
responsible for drinking water quality. It also includes a 4-month public consultation
phase through Health Canada's website. Once consultations comments have been received and
considered, the guideline and its supporting document are revised and submitted to the
Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and its parent committee for
final adoption. The supporting documentation for this proposed guideline has been posted
on Health Canada's website for public consultation.
For further information and for copies of the supporting documentation,
please refer to Health
Canada's Water Quality.
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Media Inquiries:
Catherine Saunders
Health Canada
(613) 946-4250
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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