National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Benzo[b]fluoranthene
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Benzo[b]fluoranthene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) released from combustion of organic matter including fossil fuel and wood.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 7 |
7 |
- |
| Water utilities | 11 |
11 |
- |
| People Served | 582,890 |
582,890 |
- |
Health Concerns for Benzo[b]fluoranthene:
Benzo[b]fluoranthene Exposure by State
Water utilities in 7 states have reported detecting Benzo[b]fluoranthene in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Benzo[b]fluoranthene contamination | Water suppliers reporting Benzo[b]fluoranthene above health-based limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | Systems | Population | |
| New Jersey | 1 | 217,230 | 1 | 217,230 |
| Delaware | 1 | 201,000 | 1 | 201,000 |
| Rhode Island | 4 | 119,887 | 4 | 119,887 |
| Texas | 2 | 19,413 | 2 | 19,413 |
| Illinois | 1 | 14,632 | 1 | 14,632 |
| Arkansas | 1 | 7,956 | 1 | 7,956 |
| California | 1 | 2,772 | 1 | 2,772 |
| Total | 11 | 582,890 | 11 | 582,890 |
The Most Polluted Communities
11 water utilities reported detecting Benzo[b]fluoranthene in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Benzo[b]fluoranthene level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NJ American Water Company Shorthills, NJ | 217,230 | 1 of 1 | 0.25 ppb (0.25 ppb) |
| 2 | Lost Hills Utility District Lost Hills, CA | 2,772 | 1 of 2 | 0.16 ppb (0 to 0.31 ppb) |
| 3 | City of Wichita Falls Wichita Falls, TX | 18,888 | 1 of 5 | 0.06 ppb (0 to 0.28 ppb) |
| 4 | West Houston Mobile Home Comm Houston, TX | 525 | 1 of 1 | 0.05 ppb (0.05 ppb) |
| 5 | Lindenhurst Lindenhurst, IL | 14,632 | 1 of 8 | 0.02 ppb (0 to 0.14 ppb) |
| 6 | City of Newport Newport, RI | 43,809 | 4 of 13 | 0.02 ppb (0 to 0.09 ppb) |
| 7 | Jamestown Water Department Jamestown, RI | 3,178 | 1 of 4 | 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.06 ppb) |
| 8 | Town of Cumberland Cumberland, RI | 21,900 | 1 of 10 | 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.13 ppb) |
| 9 | Artesian Water Company Newark, DE | 201,000 | 1 of 60 | 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.63 ppb) |
| 10 | Yorktown Water Association Yorktown, AR | 7,956 | 1 of 18 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.14 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Benzo[b]fluoranthene
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria | Water quality criteria set by the US EPA provide guidance for states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect human health. These are non-enforceable standards based upon exposure by both drinking water and the contribution of water contamination to other consumed foods. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | <0.01 ppb |
Testing Summary for Benzo[b]fluoranthene
| Are tests routinely required for Benzo[b]fluoranthene by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Benzo[b]fluoranthene (2004-2009): | 2,534 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.4 per year |
Cancer
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Possible human carcinogen | California EPA Proposition 65 |
| Cancer - strong evidence | Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens |
| Possible human carcinogen | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| Possible human carcinogen | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Possible human carcinogen | Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens |
| Limited evidence of carcinogenicity | Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1995 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 1996 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1991 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1992 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Toxicology 1980 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 2007 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 1979 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 2004 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2007 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 2004 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1985 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 2002 |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans | EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy) PBTs |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | EPA PBTs - Waste Minimization Program (RCRA) |
Ecotoxicology
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | European Union - Water Framework Directive |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | •May cause cancer •May cause cancer •Dangerous for the environment •Very toxic to aquatic organisms |
| Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens | BENZO[B]FLUORANTHENE | •Suspected human carcinogen (ACGIH classification A2) |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | BENZO(B)FLUORANTHENE | •Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act |
| European Union - Banned or Restricted in Cosmetics | BENZ(E)ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | •Prohibited in EU cosmetics: must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products |
| European Union - Water Framework Directive | (BENZO(B)FLUOROANTHENE), | •Priority substance in EU water policy |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | BENZO[B]FLUORANTHENE | •IARC Group 2B: possible human carcinogen (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) |
| Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants | BENZ(E)ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | Obligates Parties to reduce emissions under Aahrus Protocol for Persistent Organic Pollutants |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | BENZ(E)ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | •Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant under Canada's Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics program - targeted for elimination or reduction |
| Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy) PBTs | BENZ(E)ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | •Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Great Lakes Binational Strategy, Tier 2 concern (moderate), targeting for monitoring/testing |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | BENZ(E)ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | •Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - targeted for waste reporting under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| EPA PBTs - Waste Minimization Program (RCRA) | BENZ(E)ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | •Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, priority chemical for voluntary waste/emission reductions |
| EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) | BENZO[B]FLUORANTHENE | •Group B2: Probable human carcinogen - sufficient data in animals (EPA classification) |
| California EPA Proposition 65 | BENZO[B]FLUORANTHENE | •Carcinogen: California Proposition 65 |
| Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens | BENZO(B)FLUORANTHENE | •Cancer hazards: recognized |
| RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1992 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (rat ipr) |
| RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1985 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1991 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (rat ipr) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (rat ipr) |
| RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1995 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (mouse orl) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (mouse orl) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (mouse orl) |
| RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2007 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (rat lvr) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1996 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Mammalian Somatic Cells ( human lym) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Adduct (hamster lng) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2002 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Damage (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2004 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Damage ( human fbr) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2004 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2007 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (rat lvr) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1979 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster ipr) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 1980 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Morphological Transform (hamster lng) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | BENZ[E]ACEPHENANTHRYLENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test ( human lvr) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP. |
| Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens | ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) 2008. ACGIH cancer classification system. www.acgih.org. |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | |
| European Union - Banned or Restricted in Cosmetics | EC (European Commission of the European Union). 1999-2006. Enterprise Directorate-General Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. The rules governing cosmetic products in the European Union, Volume 1, "Cosmetics legislation." |
| European Union - Water Framework Directive | EU (European Union). 2000. Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC ) - integrated river basin management for Europe. List of priority substances. |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 2008. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures). |
| Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants | Aarhus LRTAP. 1998. Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, United Nations Environment Program. |
| Canada PBTs - Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) | EC (Environment Canada). 1994. Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET). ARET substance list of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. |
| Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy) PBTs | Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy). 1997. Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes. Appendix I - Level 1 and Level 2 substances. |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule. |
| EPA PBTs - Waste Minimization Program (RCRA) | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1998. Resource Conservatin and Recovery Act (RCRA) Waste Minimization Program - priority chemicals for elimination or reduction. |
| EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986-2005 guidelines. |
| California EPA Proposition 65 | California EPA (California Environmental Protection Agency). 9/2008. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Chemicals known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. |
| Scorecard.org Toxicity Information | Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens (July 2004) can be obtained from http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html. |
| RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1992 | RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London). (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 13,1731,1992 |
| RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London) 1985 | RTECS®- Carcinogenesis (London). (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 6,1023,1985 |
| RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis 1991 | RTECS®- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 17(Suppl 19),13,1991 |
| RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology 1995 | RTECS®- JAT, Journal of Applied Toxicology. (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Baffins Lane, Chichester, W. Sussex PO19 1UD, UK) V.1- 15,59,1995 |
| RTECS®- Mutagenesis 2007 | RTECS®- Mutagenesis. (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 22,55,2007 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1996 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 371,123,1996 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 419,91,1998 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2002 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 515,85,2002 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2004 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 547,109,2004 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2004 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 557,99,2004 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2007 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 615,87,2007 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1979 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 66,65,1979 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 1980 | RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 17,149,1980 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 198,315,2004 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.