Benzo[g,h,i]perylene
Status: No national drinking water standard exists
Benzo[g,h,i]perylene 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:
4
states detected
12
utilities detected
170,000
people served
States reporting benzo[g,h,i]perylene in drinking water
UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | |||
---|---|---|---|
State | Utilities | People Served | |
New Jersey | 6 | 84,983 | |
Rhode Island | 4 | 67,053 | |
Texas | 1 | 16,164 | |
Arkansas | 1 | 1,840 |
Filtering technologies that reduce benzo[g,h,i]perylene

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[g,h,i]perylene, 2015-2017
Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
---|---|---|---|---|
Calico Rock Waterworks | Calico Rock, AR | 1 of 13 | 0.0569 ppb | 1,840 |
Harris County MUD 53 | Houston, TX | 1 of 15 | 0.0133 ppb | 16,164 |
United Water Matchaponix* | Manalapan, NJ | 1 of 2 | 0.01000 ppb | 0 |
Suez Water Manalapan Millhurst | Manalapan, NJ | 1 of 2 | 0.01000 ppb | 2,100 |
Manalapan Township Water District Tracy Station | Manalapan, NJ | 1 of 2 | 0.01000 ppb | 256 |
Naval Station, Newport | Newport, RI | 3 of 55 | 0.00909 ppb | 7,871 |
City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 3 of 55 | 0.00909 ppb | 42,000 |
Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth, RI | 3 of 55 | 0.00909 ppb | 16,864 |
United States Navy (fort Adams) | Newport, RI | 3 of 55 | 0.00909 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[g,h,i]perylene, 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 | 0.0133 ppb | 16,164 |
City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 3 of 55 | 0.00909 ppb | 42,000 |
Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth, RI | 3 of 55 | 0.00909 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[g,h,i]perylene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.