National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
o-Dichlorobenzene
Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
o-Dichlorobenzene (1,2-Dichlorobenzene) is an intermediate for making herbicides; it is discharged as a pollutant from the manufacture of agricultural chemicals. [read more]
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 19 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 42 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 841,432 |
- |
- |
Health Concerns for o-Dichlorobenzene:
- Allergies/immunotoxicity
- Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
- Occupational hazards
- Cancer
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Ecotoxicology
- Persistence and bioaccumulation
- Neurotoxicity
o-Dichlorobenzene Exposure by State
Water utilities in 19 states have reported detecting o-Dichlorobenzene in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with o-Dichlorobenzene contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| California | 7 | 645,738 |
| Florida | 4 | 108,090 |
| New Hampshire | 4 | 33,490 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 19,453 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 8,956 |
| New York | 6 | 7,138 |
| Alaska | 1 | 5,000 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 3,129 |
| Missouri | 1 | 2,779 |
| New Mexico | 1 | 2,401 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 2,085 |
| Virginia | 2 | 1,771 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 755 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 254 |
| Vermont | 1 | 126 |
| Indiana | 1 | 95 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 85 |
| Texas | 1 | 60 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 27 |
| Total | 42 | 841,432 |
The Most Polluted Communities
42 water utilities reported detecting o-Dichlorobenzene in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average o-Dichlorobenzene level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camarillo Water Dept Camarillo,, CA | 40,380 | 2 of 4 | 5.04 ppb (0 to 10.6 ppb) |
| 2 | Coburn Mhp Clarendon, VT | 126 | 4 of 6 | 1.27 ppb (0 to 2 ppb) |
| 3 | 20 Station Road - Apt Building Brookfield, CT | 27 | 1 of 1 | 1 ppb (1 ppb) |
| 4 | Wappingers Falls Mobile Home P Wappingers Falls, NY | 115 | 1 of 1 | 0.9 ppb (0.9 ppb) |
| 5 | Charlton Housing Authority Charlton, MA | 50 | 4 of 4 | 0.72 ppb (0.54 to 0.88 ppb) |
| 6 | Mcconnellsburg Boro Muni Auth Mcconnellsburg, PA | 2,000 | 2 of 5 | 0.56 ppb (0 to 1.8 ppb) |
| 7 | Bedford Hills/Taconic Corr. Facilities Bedford Hills, NY | 1,100 | 1 of 1 | 0.5 ppb (0.5 ppb) |
| 8 | Country Squire Mhp 1 Lubbock, TX | 60 | 2 of 3 | 0.49 ppb (0 to 0.76 ppb) |
| 9 | Avoca Waterworks Avoca, WI | 623 | 3 of 8 | 0.48 ppb (0 to 2.7 ppb) |
| 10 | Aquarion Water Company: Millbury Millbury, MA | 8,906 | 1 of 3 | 0.32 ppb (0 to 0.97 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for o-Dichlorobenzene
| 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. | 420 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. | 600 ppb |
| 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. | 600 ppb |
| California Public Health Goals | Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health. | 600 ppb |
| 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. | 600 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. | 3000 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. | 9000 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. | 9000 ppb |
Testing Summary for o-Dichlorobenzene
| Are tests routinely required for o-Dichlorobenzene by federal law? | Yes |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for o-Dichlorobenzene (2004-2009): | 33,957 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.6 per year |
Violation Summary for o-Dichlorobenzene
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards for o-Dichlorobenzene since 2004
| Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance Violations | 0 |
| Monitoring Violations | 4,292 |
| Reporting Violations | 0 |
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Known human immune system toxicant or allergen | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Classified as toxic or harmful | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| One or more animal studies show effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- AMA Archives of Industrial Health 1958 |
Occupational hazards
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to high doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Cancer
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1985 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutagenesis 1987 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Science 1987 |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 2006 |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Classified as irritant | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
Ecotoxicology
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Neurotoxicity
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | •Harmful •Harmful if swallowed •Irritant (eyes, skin, or lungs) •Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin •Dangerous for the environment •Very toxic to aquatic organisms |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | •Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | BENZENE, 1,2-DICHLORO- | •This chemical was flagged for further attention by CEPA due to suspected aquatic toxicity and persistence. |
| EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | •Group D: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity (EPA classification) |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | O-DICHLOROBENZENE | •Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin or lungs: Yes; •Hepatotoxin: Hepatotoxin, Secondary; •Neurotoxin: CNS Solvent Syndrome; •STEL (ACGIH) - Short-term exposure limits (ACGIH): 50 ppm; •RD50 - Concentration producing a 50% decrease in respiratory rate in experimental animals following a 10-minute exposure: 182 ppm; •LC50 - Lethal concentration in 50% of animals tested: 1970 ppm; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 25 ppm; •Flammability (NFPA) - NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily: 2: high ambient temperature required; •IDLH (NIOSH) - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 200 ppm; •Odor Threshold High - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 50 ppm; •Odor Threshold Low - The lowest concentration at which a substance can be detected or recognized using the sense of smell: 0.02 ppm; •MAK - Maximum Allowable Concentration (Federal Republic of Germany): 10 ppm; |
| Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Carcinogens | ORTHO-DICHLOROBENZENE | •IARC Group 3 (no cancer link) |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | O-DICHLOROBENZENE | •Pesticide inerts: potentially toxic, testing priority, according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | 1,2DICHLOROBENZENE | •Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- AMA Archives of Industrial Health 1958 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1985 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: sperm (rat ipr) |
| RTECS®- Mutagenesis 1987 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Micronucleus test (mouse ipr) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Gene Conversion and Mitotic Recombination (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2006 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: (mouse ihl) |
| RTECS®- Science 1987 | 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (mouse lym) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster ovr) |
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. |
| EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants | |
| Environment Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| 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. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| 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). |
| EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide Ingredients | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1987 & 2005. Office of Pesticide Programs. Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients. |
| EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs | EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- AMA Archives of Industrial Health 1958 | RTECS®- AMA Archives of Industrial Health. (Chicago, IL) V.11-21, 1955-60. For publisher information, see AEHLAU. 17,180,1958 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1985 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 4(2),224,1985 |
| RTECS®- Mutagenesis 1987 | RTECS®- Mutagenesis. (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 2,111,1987 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1998 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 413,205,1998 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 2006 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 608,29,2006 |
| RTECS®- Science 1987 | RTECS®- Science. (American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science, 1333 H St., NW, Washington, DC 20005) V.1- 236,933,1987 |
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