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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

City of Salisbury

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

64

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

7

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
20160.125 ppb161ND - 2.00 ppb
2017ND160ND
20180.444 ppb162ND - 5.90 ppb
20190.269 ppb164ND - 1.30 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2016-02-23L6088959-4ND
2016-02-23L6088959-5ND
2016-02-23L6088959-6ND
2016-02-23L6088959-3ND
2016-05-123450170ND
2016-05-123450173ND
2016-05-123450171ND
2016-05-123450172ND
2016-08-082165584002ND
2016-08-082165584001ND
2016-08-082165584004ND
2016-08-0821655840032.00 ppb
2016-11-172190463006ND
2016-11-172190463004ND
2016-11-172190463005ND
2016-11-172190463003ND
2017-02-142208568003ND
2017-02-142208568006ND
2017-02-142208568004ND
2017-02-142208568005ND
2017-05-172231145004ND
2017-05-172231145006ND
2017-05-172231145003ND
2017-05-172231145005ND
2017-08-162255057005ND
2017-08-162255057ND
2017-08-162255057006ND
2017-08-162255057003ND
2017-11-162277631005ND
2017-11-162277631003ND
2017-11-162277631004ND
2017-11-162277631006ND
2018-02-212297167004ND
2018-02-212297167006ND
2018-02-212297167005ND
2018-02-212297167003ND
2018-05-172316033003ND
2018-05-172316033004ND
2018-05-172316033006ND
2018-05-172316033005ND
2018-08-1423325240035.90 ppb
2018-08-142332524005ND
2018-08-142332524006ND
2018-08-1423325240041.20 ppb
2018-11-143000867006ND
2018-11-143000867005ND
2018-11-143000867003ND
2018-11-143000867004ND
2019-02-113016092005ND
2019-02-113016092006ND
2019-02-113016092004ND
2019-02-113016092003ND
2019-05-143033928004ND
2019-05-143033928003ND
2019-05-1430339280051.000 ppb
2019-05-1430339280061.000 ppb
2019-08-2130534580061.30 ppb
2019-08-213053458003ND
2019-08-2130534580041.000 ppb
2019-08-213053458005ND
2019-11-253072163004ND
2019-11-253072163006ND
2019-11-253072163003ND
2019-11-253072163005ND