[VC and DCE in groundwater and drainage channel water]

In an area used merely for gardening in a downland moor, which is partly transformed to an industrial estate, accidentally a contamination of a drainage channel with VOC's - predominantly chloroethylene (vinyl chloride [VC]) and 1.2-cis-dichloroethylene (DCE) - was found. The ascending ground water leaks into the drainage channels. The dissolved harmful substances (water solubility of VC is 1.6 g/l) can reach the radix range of plants and fruit bosks and can theoretically be incorporated with the water influx. Additionally the water from the drainage channels can be used to water the crops. Six gardens and a housing were involved. In the groundwater of the mainly concerned region max. 5,000 microg/l VOC's (quite predominantly VC and DCE) was measured from 147 samples. In the drainage channel water max. 2,500 microg/l was measured from 52 samples (limit value according to the drinking water ordinance is 10 microg/l). In the sediment of the channel with approximately 60,000 microg/kg VOC was found in dry matter (6 samples). We describe, how the consumer protection dept. dealt with this unexpected situation and what measures were taken. The impact on human health by the contaminated ground and channel water or by means of contaminated plants are determined for tree fruits, potatoes, bulbs and carrots. The soil air was contaminated, but in buildings no harmful compounds were detectioned.