Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Cottages Of Acadiana 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.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND60ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND50ND
2022ND10ND
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
2018-01-3035371609001ND
2018-01-3035371609001ND
2019-08-1235490062001ND
2019-08-1235490062001ND
2019-09-0435495373002ND
2019-09-0435495373001ND
2019-09-0435495373002ND
2019-09-0435495373001ND
2020-02-0635529482002ND
2020-02-0635529482001ND
2020-11-2435594841007ND
2020-11-2435594841006ND
2021-01-2435607357001ND
2021-01-2435607357002ND
2021-01-2535607350001ND
2021-06-0135637988002ND
2021-06-0135637988003ND
2022-08-2335742134005ND