Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Town of Ridgecrest Water Supply

NOTE: Town of Ridgecrest Water Supply purchases water from Town of Ferriday Water System which is required to test for benzo[a]pyrene. Sample information shown below was taken by Town of Ferriday Water 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.

 

12

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
2019ND80ND
2020ND20ND
2021N/A00N/A
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

NOTE: Town of Ridgecrest Water Supply purchases water from Town of Ferriday Water System which is required to test for benzo[a]pyrene. Sample information shown below was taken by Town of Ferriday Water System.

Date Lab ID Result
2019-08-1535491138001ND
2019-08-1535491138002ND
2019-08-1535491138003ND
2019-08-1535491138004ND
2019-08-1535491138001ND
2019-08-1535491138002ND
2019-08-1535491138003ND
2019-08-1535491138004ND
2022-06-2035726996001ND
2022-06-2035726996002ND
2022-06-2035726996003ND
2022-06-2035726996004ND