National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) released from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 3 |
3 |
- |
| Water utilities | 12 |
12 |
- |
| People Served | 615,545 |
615,545 |
- |
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene Exposure by State
Water utilities in 3 states have reported detecting Dibenz[a,h]anthracene in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Dibenz[a,h]anthracene contamination | Water suppliers reporting Dibenz[a,h]anthracene above health-based limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | Systems | Population | |
| Arkansas | 9 | 348,725 | 9 | 348,725 |
| Delaware | 2 | 215,820 | 2 | 215,820 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 51,000 | 1 | 51,000 |
| Total | 12 | 615,545 | 12 | 615,545 |
The Most Polluted Communities
12 water utilities reported detecting Dibenz[a,h]anthracene in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Dibenz[a,h]anthracene level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimzey Regional Water District Malvern, AR | 7,427 | 1 of 4 | 0.06 ppb (0 to 0.25 ppb) |
| 2 | Weiner Waterworks Weiner, AR | 915 | 1 of 2 | 0.04 ppb (0 to 0.08 ppb) |
| 3 | Grady Waterworks Grady, AR | 397 | 1 of 5 | 0.02 ppb (0 to 0.09 ppb) |
| 4 | Bristol County Water Authority Warren, RI | 51,000 | 2 of 11 | 0.02 ppb (0 to 0.14 ppb) |
| 5 | Central Arkansas Water Little Rock, AR | 323,212 | 1 of 6 | 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.08 ppb) |
| 6 | Trumann Rural Water Assoc Trumann, AR | 2,645 | 1 of 6 | 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.08 ppb) |
| 7 | Huttig Waterworks Huttig, AR | 900 | 1 of 12 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.08 ppb) |
| 8 | Yorktown Water Association Yorktown, AR | 7,956 | 1 of 18 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.1 ppb) |
| 9 | Star City Water Company Star City, AR | 2,790 | 1 of 15 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.08 ppb) |
| 10 | Hughes Community Water Assoc Hughes, AR | 2,483 | 1 of 5 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.03 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
| 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 Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
| Are tests routinely required for Dibenz[a,h]anthracene by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Dibenz[a,h]anthracene (2004-2009): | 2,572 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.4 per year |