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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Perchlorate

City of Buena Park

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

 

60

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND100ND
2015ND100ND
2016ND110ND
2017ND110ND
2018ND100ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-04-224417-027-1000ND
2014-04-224417-017-0905ND
2014-04-224417-016-1020ND
2014-04-224417-012-1100ND
2014-04-244417-004-1100ND
2014-04-244417-009-1030ND
2014-04-244417-007-1005ND
2014-04-244417-008-0930ND
2014-07-304417-027-0945ND
2014-10-274417-027-1030ND
2015-04-144417-016-0940ND
2015-04-144417-027-0910ND
2015-04-154417-008-0940ND
2015-04-154417-004-1025ND
2015-04-154417-017-0920ND
2015-04-164417-009-0945ND
2015-04-164417-012-1030ND
2015-07-234417-027-0925ND
2015-08-254417-007-0835ND
2015-10-214417-027-1130ND
2016-01-274417-027-1035ND
2016-04-264417-027-1020ND
2016-04-264417-017-0915ND
2016-04-264417-004-1150ND
2016-04-264417-007-1115ND
2016-04-264417-012-0825ND
2016-04-264417-008-0950ND
2016-04-264417-016-1045ND
2016-04-264417-009-1220ND
2016-07-194417-027-0855ND
2016-10-104417-027-0840ND
2017-01-254417-027-0900ND
2017-04-034417-012-0910ND
2017-04-034417-027-0830ND
2017-04-064417-016-0930ND
2017-04-064417-007-1000ND
2017-04-064417-017-0815ND
2017-04-064417-008-0850ND
2017-04-064417-009-1030ND
2017-07-134417-027-0935ND
2017-10-114417-027-0920ND
2017-10-184417-004-0935ND
2018-01-224417-027-0840ND
2018-01-254417-008-0820ND
2018-01-254417-016-0900ND
2018-04-114417-007-1120ND
2018-04-114417-004-1210ND
2018-04-114417-009-1140ND
2018-04-164417-027-0955ND
2018-04-194417-017-1105ND
2018-07-304417-027-1125ND
2018-10-184417-027-0915ND
2019-01-034417-027-0840ND
2019-01-214417-017-0840ND
2019-01-214417-016-0920ND
2019-01-234417-008-0900ND
2019-01-234417-007-0930ND
2019-01-234417-004-1005ND
2019-06-204417-009-1300ND
2019-11-044417-027-0915ND