Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Connecticut Water Company - Northern Region-Western System

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.

 

27

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND30ND
2020ND30ND
2021ND20ND
20220.00200 ppb151ND - 0.0300 ppb
2023N/A00N/A

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
2018-01-31BZ82950SOC5ND
2018-06-28CA80715SOC5ND
2018-07-12CA89150ND
2018-07-26CA99050ND
2019-01-09SOC 200518249ND
2019-03-11SOC 200524185ND
2019-07-18SOC 200541147ND
2020-06-10SOC 200578800ND
2020-08-11SOC 200586028ND
2020-10-07SOC 200593190ND
2021-06-16SOC 200623187ND
2021-07-28SOC 200626312ND
2022-01-31CK26558ND
2022-02-28CK76167ND
2022-04-18CL11075ND
2022-08-26CM161970.0300 ppb
2022-08-26CM16200ND
2022-09-07CM25593ND
2022-09-08CM25670ND
2022-09-20CM37292ND
2022-09-20CM37296ND
2022-10-04CM49624ND
2022-10-04CM49621ND
2022-10-06CM51510ND
2022-10-06CM51504ND
2022-10-06CM50872ND
2022-11-03CM76536ND