National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Phenols
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Phenol is a widely used industrial chemical, an intermediate in chemical manufacturing and a disinfectant; it is also released from the decomposition of organic waste. [read more]
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 1 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 15 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 219,970 |
- |
- |
Phenols Exposure by State
Water utilities in 1 states have reported detecting Phenols in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Phenols contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| Illinois | 15 | 219,970 |
| Total | 15 | 219,970 |
The Most Polluted Communities
15 water utilities reported detecting Phenols in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Phenols level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geneva Geneva, IL | 21,901 | 1 of 1 | 400 ppb (400 ppb) |
| 2 | Industry Industry, IL | 540 | 1 of 1 | 47.2 ppb (47.2 ppb) |
| 3 | Loves Park Loves Park, IL | 22,476 | 1 of 1 | 40 ppb (40 ppb) |
| 4 | Atlanta Atlanta, IL | 1,649 | 1 of 1 | 35 ppb (35 ppb) |
| 5 | Cedar Brook Estates Subdivision East Moline, IL | 206 | 1 of 1 | 16.9 ppb (16.9 ppb) |
| 6 | Hopkins Park Hopkins Park, IL | 711 | 1 of 1 | 16 ppb (16 ppb) |
| 7 | Secor Secor, IL | 390 | 1 of 1 | 11.4 ppb (11.4 ppb) |
| 8 | Macomb Macomb, IL | 11,840 | 1 of 1 | 11.1 ppb (11.1 ppb) |
| 9 | IL American-Champaign Creve Coeur, IL | 141,000 | 1 of 2 | 11 ppb (0 to 22 ppb) |
| 10 | Homer Homer, IL | 1,200 | 1 of 1 | 10 ppb (10 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Phenols
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime health-based limit, non-cancer risk | Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for a lifetime of exposure. The Lifetime health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is based on exposure for a a 70-kg adult consuming 2 liters of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 2000 ppb |
| Children's health-based limit for 1-day exposure | Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects for up to one day of exposure. The One-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 6000 ppb |
| Children's health-based limit for 10-day exposure | Concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse, noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure. The Ten-Day health-based limit (or Health Advisory, HA) is typically set to protect a 10-kg child consuming 1 liter of water per day. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 6000 ppb |
| 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. | 10000 ppb |
| Drinking Water Equivalent Level | A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from drinking water. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 11000 ppb |
Testing Summary for Phenols
| Are tests routinely required for Phenols by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Phenols (2004-2009): | 1,991 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.2 per year |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
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