Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Perchlorate

Pico Rivera Water Department

Perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, occurs both naturally and as a synthetic chemical. Ingested perchlorate interferes with thyroid function. Exposure to perchlorate during pregnancy and childhood can impair cognitive development. Read More.

According to the EPA, perchlorate likely contaminates the water of more than 16 million Americans. Perchlorate interferes with iodine uptake in the thyroid, which can result in reduced thyroid hormones and an impact on metabolism, physical development and cognitive development. Children and developing fetuses are the most at risk from perchlorate contamination.

Perchlorate is the only unregulated contaminant for which the EPA has attempted to set a federal drinking water standard since 1996. However, the agency has yet to propose a draft limit for this contaminant. Perchlorate in drinking water is regulated in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Texas. California set a public health goal of 1 part per billion for perchlorate in 2015.

Click here to read more about perchlorate.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

47

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND80ND
2015ND80ND
2016ND80ND
2017ND80ND
2018ND80ND
2019ND70ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppb for perchlorate 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 hormone disruption.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-04-239588-009-1051ND
2014-04-239588-008-1035ND
2014-07-309588-006-0934ND
2014-09-169588-007-1155ND
2014-09-169588-005-1119ND
2014-09-169588-004-1105ND
2014-09-169588-002-1002ND
2014-12-189588-012-1050ND
2015-04-159588-008-1017ND
2015-04-159588-009-1050ND
2015-07-279588-007-1034ND
2015-07-279588-006-0932ND
2015-07-279588-005-1120ND
2015-07-279588-004-1145ND
2015-07-279588-002-0949ND
2015-07-289588-012-1109ND
2016-05-099588-009-1035ND
2016-05-099588-008-1000ND
2016-07-219588-012-1105ND
2016-07-219588-007-0920ND
2016-07-219588-002-0844ND
2016-07-219588-004-1015ND
2016-07-219588-006-0830ND
2016-07-219588-005-0950ND
2017-04-249588-008-1015ND
2017-04-249588-009-1045ND
2017-07-259588-002-0937ND
2017-07-259588-007-1010ND
2017-07-259588-004-1046ND
2017-07-259588-006-0918ND
2017-07-259588-005-1027ND
2017-10-109588-004-1120ND
2018-04-179588-009-1230ND
2018-04-179588-008-1035ND
2018-07-269588-005-1040ND
2018-07-269588-004-1100ND
2018-07-269588-007-1000ND
2018-07-269588-002-0919ND
2018-07-269588-006-0855ND
2018-10-199588-009-1030ND
2019-05-099588-008-0915ND
2019-08-089588-006-1018ND
2019-08-089588-005-1035ND
2019-08-089588-004-1045ND
2019-08-089588-007-0950ND
2019-08-089588-002-0905ND
2019-11-259588-009-1140ND