National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Aroclor 1232
Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Aroclor 1232 is a member of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) group of industrial chemicals used as dielectrics, coolants and lubricants in electrical equipment; PCBs contaminate water by leaching from landfills or other waste deposits. [read more]
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 2 |
2 |
- |
| Water utilities | 2 |
2 |
- |
| People Served | 252,000 |
252,000 |
- |
Aroclor 1232 Exposure by State
Water utilities in 2 states have reported detecting Aroclor 1232 in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Aroclor 1232 contamination | Water suppliers reporting Aroclor 1232 above health-based limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | Systems | Population | |
| Delaware | 1 | 201,000 | 1 | 201,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 51,000 | 1 | 51,000 |
| Total | 2 | 252,000 | 2 | 252,000 |
The Most Polluted Communities
2 water utilities reported detecting Aroclor 1232 in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Aroclor 1232 level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol County Water Authority Warren, RI | 51,000 | 1 of 4 | 0.06 ppb (0 to 0.25 ppb) |
| 2 | Artesian Water Company Newark, DE | 201,000 | 1 of 83 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.17 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Aroclor 1232
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) | A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 0 ppb |
| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 0.5 ppb |
Testing Summary for Aroclor 1232
| Are tests routinely required for Aroclor 1232 by federal law? | Yes |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Aroclor 1232 (2004-2009): | 6,571 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.3 per year |
Violation Summary for Aroclor 1232
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards for Aroclor 1232 since 2004
| Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance Violations | 0 |
| Monitoring Violations | 76 |
| Reporting Violations | 0 |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Commission on Endocrine Disruption | PCB AROCLOR 1232 |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Commission on Endocrine Disruption | EU (European Union)- Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters 2007. Commision on endocrin disruption requested by the European Parliament in 1998. |
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