Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

New Orleans Carrollton Waterworks

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.

 

38

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND80ND
2019ND100ND
2020ND50ND
2021ND60ND
2022ND60ND
2023ND30ND

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
2018-03-1535380391002ND
2018-03-1535380391001ND
2018-03-1535380391001ND
2018-03-1535380391002ND
2018-08-1535411633001ND
2018-08-1535411633002ND
2018-08-1535411633002ND
2018-08-1535411633001ND
2019-02-2735451097001ND
2019-02-2735451098001ND
2019-02-2735451098001ND
2019-02-2735451097001ND
2019-08-0135486661001ND
2019-08-0135486665001ND
2019-08-0135486661001ND
2019-08-0135486665001ND
2019-09-1935499418001ND
2019-09-1935499418001ND
2020-03-2635540032001ND
2020-03-2635540029001ND
2020-10-0835583701001ND
2020-10-0835583691001ND
2020-10-0835583702001ND
2021-03-2935622307001ND
2021-03-2935622309001ND
2021-03-2935622313001ND
2021-10-1435671090001ND
2021-10-1435671094001ND
2021-10-1435671099001ND
2022-03-1535704709001ND
2022-03-1535704707001ND
2022-03-1535704706001ND
2022-10-1335753419001ND
2022-10-1335753422001ND
2022-10-1335753420001ND
2023-03-0635783931001ND
2023-03-0635783938001ND
2023-03-0635783939001ND