Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Castle Mountain Creeks Owners Association

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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND10ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
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
2019-01-07S1900713ND
2020-02-11S2006067ND
2020-05-13S2021731ND
2020-08-24S2041261ND
2020-12-08S2061672ND
2021-01-08S2101074ND
2021-04-15S2117132ND
2021-07-15S2135856ND
2021-10-26S2157582ND
2022-03-07S2210666ND
2022-04-06S2216003ND
2022-09-15S2246108ND
2022-12-22S2262581ND