EWG Investigation | U.S. Tap Water Quality Database

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EWG INVESTIGATION

Findings

About The Data

News Release

EWG Statement, 03/10/2008

2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

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Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.

2,4,5-TP (Silvex) is a banned herbicide. No information on potential health impacts for 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) was identified in standard government and academic sources. [read more]

Sources of 2,4,5-TP (Silvex):
Agriculture Agriculture (pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms)

An Environmental Working Group analysis of 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) tests reported by 20,089 public water suppliers in 40 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 342 thousand people in 19 communities drank water contaminated with 2,4,5-TP (Silvex).

Exposure Summary

342,404
People drinking water contaminated with 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
19
Communities served water contaminated with 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

Table. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) Exposure by State

342 thousand Americans in 8 states were served tap water contaminated with 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) between 1998 and 2003.

State Water suppliers with 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) contamination
Systems Population
Florida 8 273,047
North Carolina 3 27,370
Kentucky 1 27,079
Nebraska 1 8,081
New Mexico 1 6,500
Wisconsin 3 227
California 1 50
Michigan 1 50
Total 19 342,404

Table. The most polluted communities

342,000 Americans in 19 communities were served tap water contaminated with 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) level

Rank System Population Served Positive test results of total reported tests Average Level
(Range)
1 Regency Oaks
Tampa, FL 58 1 of 6 0.42 ppb
(0 to 2.5 ppb)
2 Country Mobile Home Court
Westland, MI 50 1 of 1 0.4 ppb
(0.4 to 0.4 ppb)
3 Riviera Mhp
Ruskin, FL 65 1 of 1 0.32 ppb
(0.32 to 0.32 ppb)
4 El Dorado Utilities
Santa Fe, NM 6,500 1 of 7 0.29 ppb
(0 to 2 ppb)
5 Hilliard Water Plant
Hilliard, FL 2,500 1 of 1 0.2 ppb
(0.2 to 0.2 ppb)
6 City of North Miami Water
North Miami, FL 68,300 2 of 6 0.18 ppb
(0 to 0.9 ppb)
7 City of Coleman Water Plant
Coleman, FL 824 1 of 2 0.13 ppb
(0 to 0.25 ppb)
8 Seafair Road and Water Company
Mendocino, CA 50 1 of 2 0.12 ppb
(0 to 0.23 ppb)
9 City of York Water
York, NE 8,081 1 of 6 0.1 ppb
(0 to 0.62 ppb)
10 Riverside Apts
Burlington, WI 37 1 of 1 0.1 ppb
(0.1 to 0.1 ppb)

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Health based limits for 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

Health Limit Limit Value Limit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) 50 ppb 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.
Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) 50 ppb 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.
California Public Health Goals 25 ppb 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.
EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria 10 ppb 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.
Children's health-based limit for 1-day exposure 200 ppb 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.
Children's health-based limit for 10-day exposure 200 ppb 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.
Lifetime health-based limit, non-cancer risk 50 ppb 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.
Drinking Water Equivalent Level 300 ppb 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.

Testing Summary for 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

Water suppliers report an average of 0.4 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) tests per year. 19,662 water suppliers failed to report any 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) by federal law? Yes
Water suppliers reporting tests for 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) (1998-2003): 20,089 of 39,751
Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): 0.4 per year

2,4,5-TP (Silvex) Violations

Table. 2.5 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) between 1998 and 2003

Violation Type Violations Systems
Any Violation (1998-2003) 2,330 1,418
(2.5% of all suppliers)
Testing violations (1998-2003) 2,322 1,418
(2.5% of all suppliers)
Reporting violations (1998-2003) 8 8
(< 0.1% of all suppliers)