Benzo[a]pyrene

Regional Water Authority

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	N/A	0	N/A
2015	ND	1	ND
2016	ND	19	ND
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	N/A	0	N/A
2019	ND	22	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2015-06-25	SOC 200419193	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439626	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439625	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439623	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439622	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439619	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439620	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439627	ND
2016-05-16	SOC 200439628	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448468	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448473	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448472	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448466	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448465	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448469	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448470	ND
2016-08-29	SOC 200448471	ND
2016-08-30	SOC 200448554	ND
2016-09-28	SOC 200451204	ND
2016-11-22	SOC 200455270	ND
2019-05-08	SOC 200531300	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533720	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533659	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533660	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533803	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533719	ND
2019-05-28	SOC 200533804	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533881	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533880	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533867	ND
2019-05-29	SOC 200533868	ND
2019-08-26	SOC 200546200	ND
2019-08-26	SOC 200546198	ND
2019-08-26	SOC 200546197	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546267	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546268	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546302	ND
2019-08-27	SOC 200546303	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546738	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546737	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546736	ND
2019-08-28	SOC 200546553	ND