What Is TCE and Why Does It Matter?
TCE stands for trichloroethylene. In the area commonly referred to as 29th & Grove, TCE contamination was found in the groundwater.
May 1, 2026
If you have been following conversations about groundwater contamination in northeast Wichita, you have probably heard the term TCE.
But what exactly is TCE? Why was it used? And what does it have to do with the 29th & Grove area?
Understanding TCE is an important first step in understanding why free health testing is available through Clearway Testing.
What Is TCE?
TCE stands for trichloroethylene.
It is a man-made chemical that was widely used throughout the United States for much of the 20th century.
TCE was commonly used to clean metal parts and machinery. Because it was effective at removing grease and oil, it became popular in manufacturing, transportation, military operations, and industrial facilities.
At one time, TCE could also be found in products such as cleaning solvents, paint removers, adhesives, and degreasers.
While TCE was commonly used for decades, researchers later learned more about the potential health and environmental concerns associated with the chemical. As a result, its use has become much more restricted.
How Did TCE Get Into the Groundwater?
Groundwater is water that exists beneath the surface of the earth in soil, sand, and rock.
When chemicals are spilled or improperly disposed of, they can move through the soil and eventually reach groundwater.
In the area commonly referred to as 29th & Grove, environmental investigations found TCE contamination in groundwater connected to historical industrial activity near the Union Pacific railyard.
Once TCE enters groundwater, it can move slowly over time. This movement can create what environmental experts call a groundwater plume, which is an area where contaminated groundwater spreads underground.
The contamination identified in northeast Wichita has been studied and monitored for many years, and cleanup efforts continue today.
How Can People Be Exposed?
Many people assume groundwater contamination only matters if someone drinks contaminated water.
In reality, exposure can happen in different ways depending on where a person lived, worked, or spent time.
Historically, exposure may have occurred through:
- Drinking water from private wells
- Cooking with contaminated well water
- Contact with contaminated groundwater
- Breathing vapors that can move from contaminated groundwater into buildings
Not everyone who lived in the area experienced the same level of exposure.
Factors such as where someone lived, how long they lived there, whether they used well water, and many other circumstances can influence potential exposure.
That is one reason why it is difficult to determine exactly how groundwater contamination may have affected any one person.
What Are the Possible Health Effects?
TCE has been studied extensively by public health agencies and researchers.
Studies have found that exposure to TCE has been linked to certain health effects in some people.
Potential areas of concern may include effects on the:
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Immune system
- Nervous system
Researchers have also studied possible links between TCE exposure and certain types of cancer.
However, it is important to understand that exposure does not automatically mean someone will develop health problems.
Health outcomes can depend on many factors, including:
- How much exposure occurred
- How long exposure lasted
- When exposure occurred
- Age at the time of exposure
- Family history
- Lifestyle factors
- Other health conditions
Every person is different.
This is why medical professionals focus on understanding an individual’s overall health rather than assuming that any particular health condition was caused by contamination.
Why Are People Being Encouraged to Get Tested?
One of the challenges with many health conditions is that symptoms may not appear right away.
Some people may feel healthy today while still benefiting from routine health screenings and ongoing medical care.
Testing can provide important information about a person’s overall health and help identify concerns that may need additional evaluation.
A 2023 health study conducted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment found elevated rates of liver and biliary tract cancers within the study area compared to Sedgwick County and the state as a whole. Researchers emphasized that the study could not determine whether groundwater contamination caused those outcomes, but the findings reinforced the importance of making health testing available to community members.
What Does Clearway Testing Test For?
This is one of the most common questions people ask.
Clearway Testing does not test for TCE in your body.
Instead, testing focuses on your overall health.
Testing includes:
| Test | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Blood Test | Two small vials of blood are collected by a trained medical professional as part of your free health test. The process is quick and usually takes just a few minutes. |
| Urine Test | You will be asked to provide a urine sample in a private restroom using a collection cup provided by the care team. This part of the testing process is completed privately. |
These tests help licensed medical professionals better understand your overall health and identify any concerns that may need follow-up care. A review of your health history is included as part of the testing process, and some locations may also offer a basic medical checkup.
Licensed medical professionals review the results and help determine whether additional follow-up care may be appropriate.
The goal is to help people better understand their health and connect them with trusted medical care if needed.
Who Should Consider Testing?
Anyone who lived, worked, went to school, attended church, or spent time near the 29th & Grove area from the 1970s to today may benefit from testing.
That includes former residents, former workers, former students, and people who no longer live in Wichita.
Even if you are unsure whether you were exposed, a Clearway Testing partner can help you understand your options.
A Clear Way Forward
Learning about groundwater contamination can feel overwhelming.
Many people have questions about what happened, what it means, and what they should do next.
Clearway Testing was created to help people access trusted information, free health testing, and connections to care.
If you have a connection to the 29th & Grove area, consider learning more about testing and speaking with a trusted medical professional about your health.
You do not have to navigate this alone. There is a clear way forward.