Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Castroville Community Services District

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.

 

11

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019N/A00N/A
2020N/A00N/A
2021ND40ND
2022N/A00N/A
2023ND30ND

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
2018-07-09CA2710005_005_005-201807090900ND
2018-07-09CA2710005_003_003-201807090930ND
2018-07-09CA2710005_004_004-201807090835ND
2018-07-09CA2710005_009_009-201807090940ND
2021-01-19CA2710005_005_005-202101191010ND
2021-01-19CA2710005_009_009-202101190935ND
2021-01-19CA2710005_003_003-202101190942ND
2021-01-19CA2710005_004_004-202101191035ND
2023-01-18CA2710005_003_003-202301180900ND
2023-01-18CA2710005_009_009-202301180900ND
2023-01-30CA2710005_005_005-202301300900ND