Trichloroethylene (TCE)Trichloroethylene is a volatile, colorless liquid organic chemical that is most commonly used in the metalworking industry, dry cleaning industry, and the automotive industry. It can also be used during the manufacturing process of many perfumes, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and soaps . Businesses that have used trichloroethylene or commercial buildings and homes near facilities that have utilized TCE, may have elevated concentrations present in the groundwater and soil beneath the structures. TCE transforms into vapors which can rise from the groundwater or soil and enter into a building or home through gaps and cracks in the foundation. The entry of said toxic soil vapors such as TCE into a structure is most commonly referred to as vapor intrusion. Due to TCE being so widely used in many different industries, it is considered one of the most common environmental contaminants.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) RemovalWhen elevated levels of TCE are detected within a commercial building or residential property, a mitigation strategy should be implemented as soon as possible to protect the inhabitants. The most common method used to remove harmful levels of TCE from a commercial building or residential home is sub-slab depressurization. Sub-slab depressurization systems are designed to draw airflow from under the slab of the structure in order to divert rising soil gasses away from entry. When installed properly, sub-slab depressurization systems can effectively remove the majority of harmful soil gasses such as radon, VOC’s, TCE, PCE, Benzene, etc.
A typical sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system starts with collection points that are dug out from under the slab. After the collection points are created, PVC or stainless steel piping is installed to route the soil gasses out from those points. The vent piping is then run out of the structure vertically and vents out over the roofline to prevent reentry. A specialized fan is then added to the piping to actively draw out the soil contaminants, and a manometer is installed to measure the fans effectiveness. Post mitigation testing is then performed to ensure that the SSD system is effectively removing the vapors before entry into the structure. |
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Trichloroethylene (TCE) Health Effects
Trichloroethylene exposure over long periods of time can cause a multitude of health issues. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that they are being exposed to it within their homes or place of work until it has been properly tested for, or they start to feel the effects. Below you can find some of the long term effects of Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure:
- Heart Issues
- Birth Defects
- Liver Failure
- Dizziness
- Nervous System Damage
- Kidney Failure
To learn more about Trichloroethylene (TCE) visit our commercial website HERE.
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