Benzo[a]pyrene
Status: National drinking water standard exists
Benzo[a]pyrene 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:
12
states detected
44
utilities detected
2.0 million
people served
10
states over health guideline
31
utilities over health guideline
622,000
people served over health guideline
1
states over legal limit
3
utilities over legal limit
1,794
people served over legal limit
Health concerns for benzo[a]pyrene
Cancer
Harm to the immune system
Harm to reproduction and child development
Change to the central nervous system
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
Health Guideline 0.007 ppb
The health guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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.
ppb = parts per billion.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 0.2 ppb
The enforceable federal standard that defines the highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water.
ppb = parts per billion.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level Goal (MCLG)0 ppb
A non-enforceable federal health guideline. For cancer-causing chemicals, these health goals are typically set to zero.
ppb = parts per billion.
States reporting benzo[a]pyrene in drinking water
| UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | Utilities | People Served | |||
| Indiana | 0 | 0 | 8 | 841,786 | |||
| Arizona | 0 | 0 | 5 | 511,273 | |||
| North Carolina | 2 | 348,772 | 2 | 348,772 | |||
| California | 10 | 136,463 | 10 | 136,463 | |||
| Rhode Island | 4 | 68,268 | 4 | 68,268 | |||
| Illinois | 3 | 44,401 | 3 | 44,401 | |||
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 14,107 | 4 | 14,107 | |||
| Arkansas | 1 | 6,594 | 1 | 6,594 | |||
| Vermont | 3 | 1,794 | 3 | 1,794 | |||
| Oregon | 2 | 939 | 2 | 939 | |||
| Florida | 1 | 158 | 1 | 158 | |||
| New York | 1 | 78 | 1 | 78 | |||
Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[a]pyrene, 2015
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derby Center Water System* | Derby, VT | 1 of 1 | 0.600 ppb | 1,400 |
| Coal City* | Coal City, IL | 1 of 2 | 0.0655 ppb | 4,797 |
| Ponderosa Pines Water Company | La Pine, OR | 1 of 2 | 0.0500 ppb | 874 |
| Riverfront Trailer Park | Grants Pass, OR | 1 of 2 | 0.0400 ppb | 65 |
| Bee's Rv Resort | Clermont, FL | 1 of 1 | 0.0400 ppb | 158 |
| Vali-view Mobile Home Park | Montoursville, PA | 1 of 3 | 0.0300 ppb | 150 |
| Cameron Valley Estates | Lawrenceville, NY | 1 of 1 | 0.0210 ppb | 78 |
| Dequeen Water Work | Dequeen, AR | 1 of 2 | 0.0200 ppb | 6,594 |
| Orange Water & Sewer Authority* | Carrboro, NC | 1 of 2 | 0.01000 ppb | 83,300 |
| City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 1 of 11 | 0.00909 ppb | 43,809 |
| Sonoma County Water Agency* | Santa Rosa, CA | 1 of 14 | 0.00786 ppb | 500 |
| Beaver Borough Municipal Authority* | Beaver, PA | 1 of 3 | 0.00733 ppb | 5,799 |
| Kingman Municipal Water* | Kingman, AZ | 2 of 14 | 0.00464 ppb | 45,000 |
| Citizens Water - Indianapolis* | Indianapolis, IN | 1 of 109 | 0.000367 ppb | 809,778 |
| City of Chandler* | Chandler, AZ | 1 of 70 | 0.000286 ppb | 300,000 |
* 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]pyrene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Water & Sewer Authority* | Carrboro, NC | 1 of 2 | 0.01000 ppb | 83,300 |
| City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 1 of 11 | 0.00909 ppb | 43,809 |
| Kingman Municipal Water* | Kingman, AZ | 2 of 14 | 0.00464 ppb | 45,000 |
| Citizens Water - Indianapolis* | Indianapolis, IN | 1 of 109 | 0.000367 ppb | 809,778 |
| City of Chandler* | Chandler, AZ | 1 of 70 | 0.000286 ppb | 300,000 |
* 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]pyrene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.