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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Seacoast Utilities Authority

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

154

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

135

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
201417.5 ppb23239.20 ppb - 30.4 ppb
20152.22 ppb35350.610 ppb - 6.80 ppb
20161.32 ppb2418ND - 3.00 ppb
20171.01 ppb2412ND - 3.00 ppb
20182.54 ppb2423ND - 6.50 ppb
20192.82 ppb24240.900 ppb - 9.30 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Result
2014-02-1328.2 ppb
2014-02-1324.4 ppb
2014-02-1318.5 ppb
2014-02-1324.1 ppb
2014-02-1330.4 ppb
2014-05-1223.2 ppb
2014-05-1221.1 ppb
2014-05-1226.2 ppb
2014-05-1218.2 ppb
2014-05-1214.0 ppb
2014-05-1220.0 ppb
2014-08-1213.5 ppb
2014-08-1213.6 ppb
2014-08-1221.0 ppb
2014-08-1213.1 ppb
2014-08-1212.5 ppb
2014-08-1210.00 ppb
2014-11-1810.8 ppb
2014-11-1812.1 ppb
2014-11-1818.7 ppb
2014-11-1810.3 ppb
2014-11-1810.5 ppb
2014-11-189.20 ppb
2015-02-091.20 ppb
2015-02-091.000 ppb
2015-02-093.30 ppb
2015-02-090.610 ppb
2015-02-091.10 ppb
2015-02-090.610 ppb
2015-05-131.80 ppb
2015-05-131.80 ppb
2015-05-133.00 ppb
2015-05-133.00 ppb
2015-05-132.00 ppb
2015-05-132.00 ppb
2015-05-132.00 ppb
2015-05-132.20 ppb
2015-05-132.20 ppb
2015-05-131.10 ppb
2015-05-131.10 ppb
2015-05-133.60 ppb
2015-05-133.60 ppb
2015-08-122.80 ppb
2015-08-122.80 ppb
2015-08-122.50 ppb
2015-08-122.50 ppb
2015-08-122.50 ppb
2015-08-122.50 ppb
2015-08-123.40 ppb
2015-08-123.40 ppb
2015-08-122.60 ppb
2015-08-123.50 ppb
2015-11-121.000 ppb
2015-11-121.20 ppb
2015-11-126.80 ppb
2015-11-121.40 ppb
2015-11-120.850 ppb
2015-11-120.840 ppb
2016-02-183.00 ppb
2016-02-182.30 ppb
2016-02-182.10 ppb
2016-02-182.70 ppb
2016-02-182.30 ppb
2016-02-182.40 ppb
2016-05-121.30 ppb
2016-05-12ND
2016-05-121.30 ppb
2016-05-121.20 ppb
2016-05-121.50 ppb
2016-05-121.50 ppb
2016-08-101.70 ppb
2016-08-10ND
2016-08-10ND
2016-08-10ND
2016-08-10ND
2016-08-10ND
2016-11-100.370 ppb
2016-11-101.70 ppb
2016-11-101.80 ppb
2016-11-100.970 ppb
2016-11-101.70 ppb
2016-11-101.80 ppb
2017-02-08ND
2017-02-08ND
2017-02-08ND
2017-02-081.10 ppb
2017-02-08ND
2017-02-08ND
2017-05-18ND
2017-05-18ND
2017-05-18ND
2017-05-18ND
2017-05-18ND
2017-05-18ND
2017-08-082.00 ppb
2017-08-081.000 ppb
2017-08-082.60 ppb
2017-08-082.70 ppb
2017-08-082.60 ppb
2017-08-080.480 ppb
2017-08-081.000 ppb
2017-08-082.00 ppb
2017-08-083.00 ppb
2017-08-082.70 ppb
2017-08-083.00 ppb
2017-08-09ND
2018-02-271.70 ppb
2018-02-272.00 ppb
2018-02-272.00 ppb
2018-02-271.60 ppb
2018-02-272.10 ppb
2018-02-271.90 ppb
2018-05-094.20 ppb
2018-05-094.20 ppb
2018-05-093.80 ppb
2018-05-093.60 ppb
2018-05-093.00 ppb
2018-05-094.30 ppb
2018-08-083.60 ppb
2018-08-084.20 ppb
2018-08-083.80 ppb
2018-08-080.900 ppb
2018-08-08ND
2018-08-086.50 ppb
2018-11-151.10 ppb
2018-11-151.20 ppb
2018-11-151.40 ppb
2018-11-151.40 ppb
2018-11-151.40 ppb
2018-11-151.10 ppb
2019-02-200.900 ppb
2019-02-200.900 ppb
2019-02-200.900 ppb
2019-02-200.900 ppb
2019-02-200.900 ppb
2019-02-200.900 ppb
2019-05-081.50 ppb
2019-05-082.80 ppb
2019-05-082.90 ppb
2019-05-082.40 ppb
2019-05-081.40 ppb
2019-05-082.70 ppb
2019-08-153.00 ppb
2019-08-152.80 ppb
2019-08-159.30 ppb
2019-08-156.60 ppb
2019-08-152.60 ppb
2019-08-153.00 ppb
2019-11-194.00 ppb
2019-11-193.40 ppb
2019-11-193.30 ppb
2019-11-193.10 ppb
2019-11-193.80 ppb
2019-11-193.60 ppb