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Hexachlorocyclopentadiene in Arkansas

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Hexachlorocyclopentadiene is an industrial pollutant discharged from chemical factories. [read more]

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HEX or HCCPD) Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HEX or HCCPD) is an industrial high production volume chemical with annual U.S. production and imports of between 8 and 15 million pounds (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 1998b, 2009b). It is used as an intermediate product in the synthesis of numerous chlorinated pesticides including endosulfan, pentac; and before their registrations were canceled, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlor, kepone, isodrin and mirex. HEX is also used in the manufacture of flame retardants, resins, pharmaceuticals and dyes (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 1999a). Water contamination with HEX occurs by industrial emissions into water and air and onto land, and from the application of pesticides where it may remain as an impurity (USEPA 2009b). Short-term exposure to drinking water contaminated with levels of HEX above the maximum contamination level (MCL) of 50 parts per billion (ppb or 0.05 mg/L) may cause gastrointestinal distress and damage to liver, kidneys and heart. Longer-term exposure can lead to damage of the stomach, kidney, liver, brain, adrenal glands, ovaries and stomach. (ATSDR 1999a; USEPA 2009b).

The Most Polluted Communities in Arkansas

12 water utilities reported detecting Hexachlorocyclopentadiene in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies

Ranked by highest average Hexachlorocyclopentadiene level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	Pangburn Waterworks Pangburn, AR	2,464	1 of 1	0.08 ppb (0.08 ppb)
2	Mount Ida Waterworks Mount Ida, AR	2,458	1 of 2	0.06 ppb (0 to 0.13 ppb)
3	Danville Waterworks Danville, AR	2,693	2 of 3	0.03 ppb (0 to 0.05 ppb)
4	Little River Co Rda Foreman, AR	4,250	2 of 2	0.02 ppb (0.02 ppb)
5	Alma Waterworks Alma, AR	5,000	4 of 16	0.02 ppb (0 to 0.17 ppb)
6	Clinton Waterworks Clinton, AR	6,285	2 of 2	0.02 ppb (0.02 ppb)
7	Madison Co Regional Water Rogers, AR	12,249	2 of 2	0.02 ppb (0.01 to 0.02 ppb)
8	N Garland Co Reg Water Dist Hot Springs, AR	5,235	1 of 2	0.02 ppb (0 to 0.03 ppb)
9	Benton Waterworks Benton, AR	18,100	2 of 4	< 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.02 ppb)
10	Benton-Washington Regional Pwa Rogers, AR	33,989	1 of 4	< 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.03 ppb)

Health Based Limits for Hexachlorocyclopentadiene

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.	40 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.	50 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.	50 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.	50 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.	200 ppb

Violation Summary for Hexachlorocyclopentadiene in Arkansas

There are no violations reported for this contaminant in Arkansas