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Chloroform in Iowa

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Chloroform is a disinfection byproduct from the trihalomethane (THM) family, and is formed when chlorine, chloramines or other disinfectants react with organic and inorganic matter in water. [read more]

Chloroform Chloroform is a carcinogenic pollutant that forms when disinfection agents such as chlorine and chloramine react with organic matter in drinking water sources and in wastewater treatment (Richardson 2007; International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2008b). Chloroform pollution in the environment also comes from industry releases (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 1997b). The paper industry accounts for nearly half of the 1.5 million lbs of chloroform released in 2002, followed by the chemical manufacturing and solvent recovery industries (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 2009i) In humans chloroform is known to cause nausea, vomiting, irregular heart beat, kidney damage, liver damage, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia, increased dreaming, impaired memory, and anorexia. In animals, chloroform is known to cause infertility, birth defects and cancer (ATSDR 1997b; Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) 2001b).

The Most Polluted Communities in Iowa

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

Ranked by highest average Chloroform level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	Joice Water Supply Lake Mills, IA	231	1 of 1	150 ppb (150 ppb)
2	Arcml06 Llc - Silver Creek Galesburg, IA	673	11 of 11	68.61 ppb (31.6 to 149 ppb)
3	Arcml06 Llc - Five Seasons Galesburg, IA	675	11 of 11	66.45 ppb (32 to 149 ppb)
4	Bloomfield Muni Water Dept Bloomfield, IA	2,601	21 of 21	65.12 ppb (12.5 to 198 ppb)
5	Southwest Reg Water District (Clarinda) Clarinda, IA	2,092	22 of 22	64.61 ppb (35.1 to 140 ppb)
6	Danville Water Supply Danville, IA	914	21 of 21	64.49 ppb (18 to 148 ppb)
7	Middletown Water Supply Middletown, IA	535	22 of 22	62.64 ppb (24.4 to 140 ppb)
8	West Burlington Muni. Water Supply West Burli, IA	3,161	23 of 23	60.59 ppb (17.33 to 150 ppb)
9	Plantation Village Owners Assn Inc Burlington, IA	49	9 of 9	57.94 ppb (18 to 126 ppb)
10	Chariton Municipal Water Works Chariton, IA	4,573	23 of 23	57.38 ppb (22.61 to 163.25 ppb)

Health Based Limits for Chloroform

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.	5.7 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.	35 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.	70 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.	70 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.	80 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.	4000 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.	4000 ppb

Violation Summary for Chloroform in Iowa

There are no violations reported for this contaminant in Iowa