1. Home
  2. Ecolink News
  3. Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater: Impact and Solution

Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater: Impact and Solution

There are a variety of uses for chlorinated solvents, including being used in metal cleaning and polyvinylchloride (PVC) products. However, these solvents are finding their way into various places where they do not belong. One common place of error is in groundwater. This blog will discuss the impact of chlorinated solvents in groundwater and the solutions to detecting these solvents.  

What are the impacts of chlorinated solvents?  

Exposure to chlorinated solvents can happen if contaminated groundwater is:  

  • Ingested   
  • Used to cook with  
  • Used to shower or swim in  
  • Used to water gardens  

When exposed to chlorinated solvents, the type of side effects that one will experience depends on what they were exposed to.   

If someone was exposed to Tetrachloroethene (PCE) or Trichloroethene (TCE) over a short period, they would experience dizziness. However, if exposed for multiple years, they then would experience harm to the following:  

  • Central nervous system  
  • Kidney  
  • Liver  
  • Immune System  

If exposed to large amounts of Dichloroethane (DCE) they would experience nausea and drowsiness. Exposure over long periods could lead to liver damage.   

After being exposed to vinyl chloride one may experience dizziness. Once exposed for a period of time one can experience harm to several functions, such as kidney and liver function,  

Solutions to chlorinated solvent contaminations  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently released a revised plan for cleaning up chlorinated solvent contaminations. There are four treatment EPA approved methods effective at removing groundwater contaminants: 

  • Biological Treatments  
  • Chemical Treatments  
  • Physical Treatments  
  • Thermal Treatments  

Biological treatments involve adding or growing microorganisms that will clear away the contaminants. There are different types of treatments:  

  • Bioaugmentation  
  • Bioremediation  
  • Phytoremediation  

Chemical treatments use chemicals to convert hazardous contaminants into less toxic things. The different types of chemical treatments include:  

  • Chemical oxidation  
  • Chemical reduction  
  • Neutralization  

Physical treatments utilize the different physical properties of contaminants or the contaminated medium to separate the contamination from the medium. Different processes used in this treatment method include sparging and free product recovery.   

Lastly, thermal treatment uses heat to separate the contaminants from the medium, such as groundwater. Thermal treatments include:  

  • Electrical resistance heating   
  • Incineration  
  • Steam enhanced extraction  

Want to learn more?  

Here at Ecolink, we offer a multitude of informative blogs as well as eco-friendly cleaning products. We have provided businesses like yours with high-quality chemical services for over thirty years. If you would like to learn more about industrial chemical topics through our informative blogs, click here! If you have any questions about our products or other services, then click here to talk with one of our experienced staff today! 

Search here

Don’t forget to share this post!

Categories

Suggested Blog Posts

View all News
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade
May 23 2025

What is Electronic Grade Chemicals?

Find yourself wondering what electronic grade chemicals are? Whether you’re trying to figure out the best chemical for cleaning your cell phone or need bulk chemical...
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade IPA
May 21 2025

What is Electronic Grade IPA

Isopropyl alcohol, commonly referred to as IPA, is a great solvent for cleaning. But when it comes to cleaning delicate surfaces such as electronics, the type of IPA...
By Ecolink Team
May 16 2025

6 Benefits of Water Treatment Chemicals for Boilers

Proper chemical treatment is essential for disinfecting water and preventing buildup in boilers. But what other benefits are there? In this blog post, we’ll take a...
By Ecolink Team
Industrial Cleaning Chemicals & Retail Cleaners
May 14 2025

Industrial vs. Retail Cleaners: Which Are Best?

We all clean. Whether you own a dental office, a townhouse, or a factory, cleaning is an essential part of your daily operations. But when it comes to choosing the best...
By Ecolink Team
non-destructive testing
May 12 2025

What is Non-Destructive testing? A Brief Overview

Evaluating a product’s materials and internal components is one of the best ways to test the integrity of a product. But how does each industry evaluate their products?...
By Ecolink Team
Best vehicle degreasers
May 09 2025

Best Vehicle Degreasers: Efficient Solutions for Removing Grease

fleets for their operations. Grease buildup can hinder efficiency and diminish the overall aesthetics of vehicles. To combat this challenge, businesses need the best...
By Ecolink Team
Vehicle Maintenance
May 07 2025

Vehicle Maintenance: Keeping Your Fleet in Top Condition

For many business operations, a well-maintained fleet of vehicles is not only a functional necessity; it is a reflection of a company’s commitment to efficiency and...
By Ecolink Team
Mechanical Cleaning Process
May 05 2025

Mechanical Cleaning Process: Methods and Equipment Overview

The mechanical cleaning process has emerged as a cornerstone for achieving optimal equipment performance in industrial maintenance. Industries- no matter their size or...
By Ecolink Team
Mechanical cleaning
May 02 2025

Mechanical Cleaning: Essential Techniques for Industrial Maintenance

In industrial maintenance, cleaning stands out as a fundamental process for ensuring optimal equipment performance and prolonging the lifespan of machinery. This method...
By Ecolink Team
Cleaning Electrical Contacts
Apr 30 2025

Cleaning Electrical Contacts: 5 Tips for Effective Maintenance

Electrical contacts are important circuit components found in machines and electrical equipment that are made from conductive materials. When two contacts touch, they...
View all News