p-Dichlorobenzene
San Francisco Regional Water System
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 | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 7 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-17 | 9553-016-0904 | ND |
| 2014-06-17 | 9553-001-1130 | ND |
| 2015-05-27 | 9553-001-1235 | ND |
| 2015-06-18 | 9553-015-0915 | ND |
| 2016-06-14 | 9553-001-1105 | ND |
| 2016-06-14 | 9553-015-1231 | ND |
| 2016-06-21 | 9553-016-1055 | ND |
| 2017-06-19 | 9553-015-1100 | ND |
| 2017-06-19 | 9553-016-0953 | ND |
| 2017-06-19 | 9553-001-1025 | ND |
| 2018-06-18 | 9553-016-1100 | ND |
| 2018-06-18 | 9553-001-1032 | ND |
| 2018-06-28 | 9590-015-0950 | ND |
| 2019-06-17 | 9553-001-1012 | ND |
| 2019-06-17 | 9553-015-1119 | ND |
| 2019-06-24 | 9590-034-1035 | ND |
| 2019-06-24 | 9590-035-1137 | ND |
| 2019-06-26 | 9590-031-1430 | ND |
| 2019-06-26 | 9590-032-0925 | ND |
| 2019-06-26 | 9590-033-1125 | ND |