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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Perchlorate

Palmdale Water District

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

 

56

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND240ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND240ND

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
2014-04-179590-030-0800ND
2014-04-179590-001-0800ND
2015-02-129590-030-1115ND
2015-02-179590-001-0730ND
2016-01-199590-018-0910ND
2016-01-199590-019-0920ND
2016-01-199590-016-1015ND
2016-01-199590-032-1130ND
2016-01-199590-033-1025ND
2016-01-209590-004-0720ND
2016-01-209590-008-0810ND
2016-01-209590-009-0750ND
2016-01-209590-029-0820ND
2016-01-209590-003-0730ND
2016-01-209590-012-0750ND
2016-01-209590-014-0735ND
2016-01-219590-007-0930ND
2016-01-219590-059-0740ND
2016-01-219590-021-0800ND
2016-01-219590-025-0720ND
2016-01-219590-027-1015ND
2016-01-219590-028-0900ND
2016-01-219590-011-0820ND
2016-02-249590-026-1000ND
2016-03-179590-030-0800ND
2016-03-179590-001-0800ND
2016-03-249590-015-1015ND
2016-05-199590-022-0830ND
2017-01-269590-001-0800ND
2017-01-269590-030-0800ND
2018-02-149590-001-0930ND
2018-02-149590-030-0800ND
2019-01-239590-015-0945ND
2019-01-239590-012-0920ND
2019-01-249590-014-0950ND
2019-01-249590-007-0925ND
2019-02-079590-009-0950ND
2019-02-079590-003-1020ND
2019-02-079590-004-1050ND
2019-02-079590-029-0920ND
2019-02-139590-026-0925ND
2019-02-139590-022-0815ND
2019-02-139590-033-0750ND
2019-02-139590-059-0840ND
2019-02-149590-011-0920ND
2019-02-149590-008-0850ND
2019-02-219590-027-1140ND
2019-02-219590-032-1040ND
2019-02-219590-016-1100ND
2019-03-079590-030-1110ND
2019-03-079590-001-1100ND
2019-03-279590-028-0845ND
2019-03-279590-018-0915ND
2019-03-279590-021-0810ND
2019-03-279590-019-0935ND
2019-11-149590-025-1035ND