p-Dichlorobenzene
Placer County Water Agency - Foothill
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 | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-08-20 | 3334-002-1010 | ND |
| 2014-08-20 | 3334-007-1200 | ND |
| 2015-08-11 | 3334-002-1000 | ND |
| 2015-08-11 | 3334-007-1305 | ND |
| 2016-03-30 | 2113-014-1440 | ND |
| 2016-08-03 | 2113-014-1045 | ND |
| 2016-08-17 | 2113-002-1215 | ND |
| 2016-08-17 | 2113-007-0945 | ND |
| 2018-08-14 | 3334-002-1120 | ND |
| 2018-08-14 | 3334-007-1310 | ND |
| 2018-08-22 | 1233-014-0930 | ND |
| 2019-08-27 | 3334-002-0000 | ND |
| 2019-09-09 | 3334-007-1330 | ND |
| 2019-09-12 | 3334-014-1150 | ND |