p-Dichlorobenzene
Northeast Alabama Water System
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 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-06 | AC69048 | ND |
| 2014-11-19 | AC90357 | ND |
| 2014-11-20 | AC90350 | ND |
| 2015-06-08 | AD11194 | ND |
| 2015-11-18 | AD28921 | ND |
| 2015-11-18 | AD28925 | ND |
| 2016-05-16 | 1606274-1 | ND |
| 2016-11-08 | 1614271-2 | ND |
| 2017-05-22 | 170192-02 | ND |
| 2017-05-22 | 1707192-2 | ND |
| 2017-12-11 | 1717278-2 | ND |
| 2018-06-06 | 1807603-02 | ND |
| 2018-06-06 | 1807603-2 | ND |
| 2018-12-12 | L1053121-02 | ND |
| 2019-06-19 | L1111029-01 | ND |
| 2019-07-30 | L1124324-01 | ND |
| 2019-07-30 | L1124324-01A | ND |
| 2019-09-10 | L1138015-01 | ND |
| 2019-11-05 | L1157833-01 | ND |
| 2019-11-13 | L1160742-01 | ND |