TETRACHLOROETHYLENE (PERCHLOROETHYLENE, PCE)

A solvent often used for degreasing and in dry cleaning which sometimes makes its way into water wells and other ground water supplies. Studies have shown that high concentrations of the chemical can cause liver and kidney damage, including cancer, in animals. In humans, however, not enough information is available to say it is a definite carcinogen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) safe drinking water standard for tetrachloroethylene is 0.005 parts per million (ppm). Also referred to as Perchloroethylene (PCE) and Perclene.