EWG INVESTIGATION

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EWG Statement, 03/10/2008

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NATIONAL SUMMARY

Quality Varies Across the U.S.

CONTAMINANTS DATABASE

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Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.

Benzo[k]fluoranthene is a chemical from water distribution system tanks and pipes lined with coal tar or asphalt; pollutant from combustion of organic matter, including fossil fuel and wood; no commercial uses. Potential health impacts associated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene include cancer.

Sources of Benzo[k]fluoranthene:

	Sprawl and Urban Areas (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste)
	Water Treatment and Distribution Byproducts (pipes and fixtures, treatment chemicals and byproducts)

An Environmental Working Group analysis of Benzo[k]fluoranthene tests reported by 2,519 public water suppliers in 10 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 23 thousand people in 2 communities drank water contaminated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene. In all of these communities, tap water was contaminated at levels above health-based thresholds. Benzo[k]fluoranthene remains unregulated in tap water, without a maximum legal limit.

Exposure Summary

22,962 People drinking water contaminated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene 2 Communities served water contaminated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene 22,962 People drinking water contaminated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene over health based limits 2 Communities served water with Benzo[k]fluoranthene above health based limits

Table. Benzo[k]fluoranthene Exposure by State

23 thousand Americans in 2 states were served tap water contaminated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene at levels above health-based limits between 1998 and 2003.

State	Water suppliers with Benzo[k]fluoranthene contamination		Water suppliers reporting Benzo[k]fluoranthene above health-based limits
	Systems	Population	Systems	Population
Texas	1	14,862	1	14,862
Nevada	1	8,100	1	8,100
Total	2	22,962	2	22,962

Table. The most polluted communities

23,000 Americans in 2 communities were served tap water contaminated with Benzo[k]fluoranthene above health based limits between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average Benzo[k]fluoranthene level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	City of White Settlement Fort Worth, TX	14,862	1 of 7	0.03 ppb (0 to 0.21 ppb)
2	Big Bend Water District Laughlin, NV	8,100	1 of 3	0.02 ppb (0 to 0.05 ppb)

Health based limits for Benzo[k]fluoranthene

Health Limit	Limit Value	Limit Description
EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria	<0.01 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.

Testing Summary for Benzo[k]fluoranthene

Water suppliers report an average of 0.5 Benzo[k]fluoranthene tests per year. 37,232 water suppliers failed to report any Benzo[k]fluoranthene tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for Benzo[k]fluoranthene by federal law? No Water suppliers reporting tests for Benzo[k]fluoranthene (1998-2003): 2,519 of 39,751 Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): 0.5 per year

Benzo[k]fluoranthene Violations

Because Benzo[k]fluoranthene is unregulated in tap water, no violations are recorded in EPA's violations database, the Safe Drinking Water Information System. Under the federal tap water law, water suppliers are not required to routinely test for Benzo[k]fluoranthene, and any level is legal in tap water.