p-Dichlorobenzene
San Fernando 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 | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-22 | 9590-004-0840 | ND |
| 2014-01-22 | 9590-003-0950 | ND |
| 2014-01-22 | 9590-002-0905 | ND |
| 2015-01-21 | 9590-002-0820 | ND |
| 2015-01-21 | 9590-003-1015 | ND |
| 2015-01-21 | 9590-004-0905 | ND |
| 2016-02-17 | 9590-002-0920 | ND |
| 2016-02-17 | 9590-004-0900 | ND |
| 2016-04-13 | 9590-004-0820 | ND |
| 2017-01-25 | 9590-003-0855 | ND |
| 2017-01-25 | 9590-004-0800 | ND |
| 2017-01-25 | 9590-002-0715 | ND |
| 2017-04-05 | 9590-004-0920 | ND |
| 2017-10-24 | 9590-004-0715 | ND |
| 2018-01-24 | 9590-004-1055 | ND |
| 2018-01-24 | 9590-002-0900 | ND |
| 2018-06-06 | 9590-004-0905 | ND |
| 2018-07-11 | 9590-004-0855 | ND |
| 2019-01-11 | 9590-004-0925 | ND |
| 2019-01-11 | 9590-002-0900 | ND |