The MCLG for
trichloroethylene
is zero.

Around the
Seven Out and CSX contamination areas in Waycross more than 100 people
have gotten sick or died,
most since 2000, with groundwater contamination
known since 1985, according to Joan Martin McNeal,
So the CSX problem long predates

the Seven Out problem.
Here’s her map of the CSX property (in yellow) and contamination, sickness, and death:

brown stars: known contamination areas

red markers: confirmed deceased or confirmed cases of severe illness
mostly cancer (bone, lung, prostate, blood, colon, breast),
some severe neurological disorders, some heart failure,
with ages ranging from 4 to 85 years.

green markers: likely early stage cases of such problems

According to this February 2000


tricholoroethylene isopleth map,

there was already extensive contamination in the CSX railyard by 2000,
extending across an internal drainage ditch that goes into the
Waycross Canal that become Tebeau Creek, running through downtown
Waycross into the Satilla River.

According to U.S. EPA,

Trichloroethylene 79-01-6 Hazard Summary-Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000,

Acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure to
trichloroethylene can affect the human central nervous system (CNS),
with symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, confusion, euphoria,
facial numbness, and weakness. Liver, kidney, immunological,
endocrine, and developmental effects have also been reported in
humans. A recent analysis of available epidemiological studies
reports trichloroethylene exposure to be associated with several
types of cancers in humans, especially kidney, liver, cervix, and
lymphatic system. Animal studies have reported increases in lung,
liver, kidney, and testicular tumors and lymphoma.

According to U.S. EPA’s

Basic Information about Trichloroethylene in Drinking Water,

What are EPA’s drinking water regulations for trichloroethylene?

In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law
requires EPA to determine the level of contaminants in drinking
water at which no adverse health effects are likely to occur. These
non-enforceable health goals, based solely on possible health risks
and exposure over a lifetime with an adequate margin of safety, are
called maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG). Contaminants are any
physical, chemical, biological or radiological substances or matter
in water.

The MCLG for trichloroethylene is zero.
EPA has set this level of
protection based on the best available science to prevent potential
health problems. EPA has set an enforceable regulation for
trichloroethylene, called a maximum contaminant level (MCL), at
0.005 mg/L or 5 ppb. MCLs are set as close to the health goals as
possible, considering cost, benefits and the ability of public water
systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment
technologies.

I don’t know how far back this problem goes, or exactly where
or who it has affected.
It’s not clear anybody else does yet, either.
But I do know there’s a problem.

If you have been affected, here’s

a survey you can fill out
to help collect information to better determine the affected area.

-jsq