National Drinking Water Database
Benzo[a]pyrene in Virginia
Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that contaminates drinking water from leaching coal tar coatings on water distribution pipes and storage liners; it is also a product of combustion. [read more]
The Most Polluted Communities in Virginia
3 water utilities reported detecting Benzo[a]pyrene in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Benzo[a]pyrene level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earlysville Forest Palmyra, VA | 600 | 1 of 1 | 0.1 ppb (0.1 ppb) |
| 2 | Irvington Community of Warwick, VA | 1,035 | 1 of 12 | 0.03 ppb (0 to 0.4 ppb) |
| 3 | Courtney Subdivision Warwick, VA | 187 | 2 of 10 | 0.02 ppb (0 to 0.1 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for Benzo[a]pyrene
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 0 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. | <0.01 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. | <0.01 ppb |
| One in one million (10-6) Cancer Risk | The concentration of a chemical in drinking water corresponding to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 in 1,000,000. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | <0.01 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. | 0.2 ppb |
| One in ten thousand (10-4) Cancer Risk | The concentration of a chemical in drinking water corresponding to an excess estimated lifetime cancer risk of 1 in 10,000. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 0.5 ppb |
Violation Summary for Benzo[a]pyrene in Virginia
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards in Virginia since 2004
| Violation Type | Number of Violations |
|---|---|
| Failure to monitor regularly | 3 |