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

Benzo[a]pyrene is a chemical from leaching water distribution and storage liners; product of combustion. Potential health impacts associated with Benzo[a]pyrene include cancer, developmental toxicity, endocrine toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin sensitivity. [read more]

Sources of Benzo[a]pyrene:

	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[a]pyrene tests reported by 17,687 public water suppliers in 39 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 1.3 million people in 42 communities drank water contaminated with Benzo[a]pyrene. In 39 of these communities, tap water was contaminated at levels above health-based thresholds.

Exposure Summary

1,338,583 People drinking water contaminated with Benzo[a]pyrene 42 Communities served water contaminated with Benzo[a]pyrene 445,721 People drinking water contaminated with Benzo[a]pyrene over health based limits 39 Communities served water with Benzo[a]pyrene above health based limits

Table. Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure by State

446 thousand Americans in 15 states were served tap water contaminated with Benzo[a]pyrene at levels above health-based limits between 1998 and 2003.

State	Water suppliers with Benzo[a]pyrene contamination		Water suppliers reporting Benzo[a]pyrene above health-based limits
	Systems	Population	Systems	Population
Florida	8	252,984	7	249,425
California	1	57,520	1	57,520
Ohio	1	50,000	1	50,000
Iowa	2	25,074	2	25,074
Illinois	8	16,912	8	16,912
Texas	1	14,862	1	14,862
Nevada	2	8,709	2	8,709
New Hampshire	2	6,950	2	6,950
Arkansas	2	4,244	2	4,244
Pennsylvania	2	3,325	2	3,325
Arizona	2	3,030	2	3,030
Colorado	3	2,812	3	2,812
North Carolina	3	2,685	3	2,685
New Mexico	1	96	1	96
Wisconsin	2	77	2	77
Kentucky	1	853,398	0	0
Indiana	1	35,905	0	0
Total	42	1,338,583	39	445,721

Table. The most polluted communities

446,000 Americans in 39 communities were served tap water contaminated with Benzo[a]pyrene above health based limits between 1998 and 2003

Ranked by highest average Benzo[a]pyrene level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	Foxridge Farms Mhp Lakewood, CO	2,252	1 of 1	0.91 ppb (0.91 to 0.91 ppb)
2	Alton Water Works Alton, NH	1,750	1 of 1	0.26 ppb (0.26 to 0.26 ppb)
3	No Name Creek Water System Glenwood Springs, CO	160	1 of 2	0.17 ppb (0 to 0.34 ppb)
4	S C I Graterford Graterford, PA	3,300	1 of 2	0.12 ppb (0 to 0.24 ppb)
5	Lake Beresford Deland, FL	1,613	1 of 3	0.1 ppb (0 to 0.31 ppb)
6	Pembroke Water Works Pembroke, NH	5,200	1 of 1	0.1 ppb (0.1 to 0.1 ppb)
7	Dukes Mhp, Llc Evergreen, CO	400	1 of 5	0.09 ppb (0 to 0.45 ppb)
8	Holly Grove Waterworks Holly Grove, AR	2,281	1 of 3	0.08 ppb (0 to 0.24 ppb)
9	Maple Hill Mhp Horse Shoe, NC	160	1 of 2	0.05 ppb (0 to 0.1 ppb)
10	Elaine Waterworks Elaine, AR	1,963	1 of 3	0.05 ppb (0 to 0.15 ppb)

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Health based limits for Benzo[a]pyrene

Health Limit	Limit Value	Limit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL)	0.2 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)	0 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.
One in ten thousand (10-4) Cancer Risk	0.5 ppb	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.
California Public Health Goals	<0.01 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	<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[a]pyrene

Water suppliers report an average of 0.5 Benzo[a]pyrene tests per year. 22,064 water suppliers failed to report any Benzo[a]pyrene tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for Benzo[a]pyrene by federal law? Yes Water suppliers reporting tests for Benzo[a]pyrene (1998-2003): 17,687 of 39,751 Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): 0.5 per year

Benzo[a]pyrene Violations

Table. 2.4 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for Benzo[a]pyrene between 1998 and 2003

Violation Type	Violations	Systems
Any Violation (1998-2003)	2,364	1,368
	(2.4% of all suppliers)
Testing violations (1998-2003)	2,357	1,368
	(2.4% of all suppliers)
Reporting violations (1998-2003)	7	7
	(< 0.1% of all suppliers)