Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Smackover Waterworks

Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND10ND
2023ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.007 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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): 0.2 ppb

The legal limit for benzo[a]pyrene, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to PAH exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-01-3018032002201ND
2018-01-3018032002307ND
2018-05-2218144007407ND
2019-02-1119045009901ND
2020-01-2720030004605ND
2020-02-2420057001601ND
2020-06-0120156008406ND
2020-06-0120156008506ND
2021-03-08103389201ND
2021-03-08103389202ND
2021-06-2335643244001ND
2022-01-2422027007201ND
2023-01-312302398001AND
2023-01-312302398002AND
2023-05-31O209480-PAE-1ND
2023-05-31O209479-PAE-1ND