p-Dichlorobenzene
El Monte Water Department
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 | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-28 | 9588-006-1035 | ND |
| 2014-07-28 | 9588-009-1030 | ND |
| 2015-01-13 | 9588-006-1015 | ND |
| 2016-01-11 | 9588-006-1045 | ND |
| 2016-07-07 | 9588-009-0950 | ND |
| 2017-01-30 | 9588-006-1350 | ND |
| 2017-08-03 | 9588-009-0945 | ND |
| 2018-01-25 | 9588-006-1130 | ND |
| 2018-07-25 | 9588-009-1300 | ND |
| 2019-01-31 | 9588-006-1050 | ND |
| 2019-05-28 | 9588-043-1310 | ND |
| 2019-05-28 | 9588-044-1240 | ND |
| 2019-05-28 | 9588-045-1255 | ND |
| 2019-07-25 | 9588-009-1430 | ND |