Benzo[a]anthracene
Status: No national drinking water standard exists
Benzo[a]anthracene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.
2015-2017:
2
states detected
6
utilities detected
83,457
people served
States reporting benzo[a]anthracene in drinking water
UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | |||
---|---|---|---|
State | Utilities | People Served | |
Rhode Island | 4 | 67,053 | |
Texas | 2 | 16,404 |
Filtering technologies that reduce benzo[a]anthracene

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[a]anthracene, 2015-2017
Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pine Grove Estates Water System | Cypress, TX | 1 of 1 | 0.170 ppb | 240 |
Harris County MUD 53 | Houston, TX | 1 of 15 | 0.0493 ppb | 16,164 |
Naval Station, Newport | Newport, RI | 4 of 55 | 0.0109 ppb | 7,871 |
City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 4 of 55 | 0.0109 ppb | 42,000 |
Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth, RI | 4 of 55 | 0.0109 ppb | 16,864 |
United States Navy (fort Adams) | Newport, RI | 4 of 55 | 0.0109 ppb | 318 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Benzo[a]anthracene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
---|---|---|---|---|
Harris County MUD 53 | Houston, TX | 1 of 15 | 0.0493 ppb | 16,164 |
City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 4 of 55 | 0.0109 ppb | 42,000 |
Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth, RI | 4 of 55 | 0.0109 ppb | 16,864 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Benzo[a]anthracene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.