Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Chloroform

Smithville

Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Read More.

In addition to tap water disinfection, chloroform pollution in the environment also comes from industrial discharges from pulp and paper mills, and from urban wastewater effluent. Human studies show that chloroform damages the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. In animals, chloroform causes infertility, birth defects and cancer.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND10ND
20210.138 ppb51ND - 0.690 ppb
2022ND30ND
2023ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-05-15AJ89544ND
2018-05-15AJ89545ND
2018-08-16AJ98145ND
2019-07-16AK22601ND
2020-07-21AK52139ND
2021-07-22AK81049ND
2021-11-11AK90633ND
2021-11-11AK90634ND
2021-12-08AK922370.690 ppb
2021-12-08AK92238ND
2022-05-02AL00129ND
2022-05-02AL00130ND
2022-08-10AL09297ND
2023-03-07AL26835ND
2023-03-07AL26836ND
2023-08-28AL41778ND