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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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p-Dichlorobenzene

Waialee-sunset Beach

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.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND40ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND10ND

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
2014-02-19201402210361ND
2014-02-20201402220088ND
2014-07-21201407230664ND
2014-07-21201407230666ND
2015-01-29201501300117ND
2015-04-28201504300075ND
2016-01-13ND
2016-07-05ND
2017-01-04ND
2017-02-23ND
2017-10-10ND
2017-10-31ND
2018-01-09201712280239ND
2018-04-25201804300496ND
2018-08-13201808160452ND
2019-02-19201902210382ND