Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

p-Dichlorobenzene

East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission

NOTE: East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission purchases water from New London Department of Public Utilities which is required to test for p-dichlorobenzene. Sample information shown below was taken by New London Department of Public Utilities.

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.

 

6

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND100ND
2019ND100ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND60ND
2023ND70ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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

NOTE: East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission purchases water from New London Department of Public Utilities which is required to test for p-dichlorobenzene. Sample information shown below was taken by New London Department of Public Utilities.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-11-2928423VOC1ND
2019-11-2030476VOC1ND
2020-12-0132749VOC1ND
2021-10-2734804VOC1ND
2022-09-1536585VOC1ND
2023-09-1438755VOC1ND