p-Dichlorobenzene
McAllen Public Utility
p-Dichlorobenzene is a carcinogenic insecticide used in mothballs, and added to deodorant blocks made for trash cans and toilets. Long-term exposure can cause liver damage and kidney problems.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 6 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 6 ppb for p-dichlorobenzene was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 75 ppb
The legal limit for p-dichlorobenzene, established in 1987, was based on toxicity studies conducted in laboratory animals in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to p-dichlorobenzene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-08-18 | AC63987 | ND |
| 2014-08-18 | AC63989 | ND |
| 2015-03-12 | AC84169 | ND |
| 2015-06-10 | AC95446 | ND |
| 2015-08-06 | AD02990 | ND |
| 2015-08-06 | AD02982 | ND |
| 2015-11-18 | AD14071 | ND |
| 2016-06-30 | AD42708 | ND |
| 2016-08-02 | AD46659 | ND |
| 2017-04-19 | AD80199 | ND |
| 2017-07-12 | AD89107 | ND |
| 2018-08-15 | AE37228 | ND |
| 2018-08-15 | AE37206 | ND |
| 2019-05-22 | AE67703 | ND |
| 2019-09-04 | AE82073 | ND |