Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Belle Chasse Water District

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.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND20ND
2023ND20ND

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
2018-01-3035371297002ND
2018-01-3035371297002ND
2018-10-0235421769001ND
2018-10-0235421769001ND
2019-02-0535446735001ND
2019-02-0535446735001ND
2019-08-1435490418001ND
2019-08-1435490418001ND
2020-05-0735548736001ND
2020-10-2635587644001ND
2021-03-0135615730001ND
2021-12-0835683691001ND
2022-01-1335690757001ND
2022-08-0435737247001ND
2023-02-0135777178001ND
2023-10-3135838751001ND