p-Dichlorobenzene
Greendale Waterworks
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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1.65 ppb | 4 | 4 | 0.390 ppb - 2.50 ppb |
| 2015 | 0.533 ppb | 3 | 3 | 0.470 ppb - 0.600 ppb |
| 2016 | 0.890 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.380 ppb - 1.40 ppb |
| 2017 | 1.41 ppb | 3 | 3 | 0.940 ppb - 2.00 ppb |
| 2018 | 1.30 ppb | 4 | 4 | 0.360 ppb - 2.60 ppb |
| 2019 | 1.54 ppb | 4 | 4 | 0.940 ppb - 2.80 ppb |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-03-05 | 773321 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2014-06-03 | 794168 | 0.390 ppb |
| 2014-09-02 | 814784 | 2.50 ppb |
| 2014-12-02 | 833635 | 2.40 ppb |
| 2015-03-04 | 846448 | 0.470 ppb |
| 2015-06-02 | 863113 | 0.530 ppb |
| 2015-09-02 | 880649 | 0.600 ppb |
| 2016-06-08 | 925875 | 0.380 ppb |
| 2016-11-30 | 962267 | 1.40 ppb |
| 2017-03-08 | 976958 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2017-09-06 | 1016383 | 0.940 ppb |
| 2017-12-06 | 1032492 | 2.00 ppb |
| 2018-03-07 | 1044159 | 2.60 ppb |
| 2018-06-06 | 1059685 | 1.60 ppb |
| 2018-09-05 | 1078435 | 0.620 ppb |
| 2018-12-06 | 1096508 | 0.360 ppb |
| 2019-03-06 | 1108244 | 2.80 ppb |
| 2019-06-05 | 1125651 | 0.940 ppb |
| 2019-09-04 | 1145422 | 1.30 ppb |
| 2019-12-04 | 1163570 | 1.10 ppb |