Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Rapides Parish Waterworks District 3

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.

 

24

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND60ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND20ND
2023ND50ND

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
2018-03-2235381823001ND
2018-03-2235381823001ND
2018-09-1835418764001ND
2018-09-1835418764001ND
2019-04-1735463257001ND
2019-04-1735463257001ND
2019-08-2935494339001ND
2019-08-2935494339001ND
2020-01-2135525783002ND
2020-01-2135525783003ND
2020-01-2135525783001ND
2020-03-1135537099001ND
2020-04-2235545475001ND
2020-10-1235585145001ND
2021-05-0535631376001ND
2021-05-0535631376002ND
2021-10-0535668364001ND
2022-04-1835712509001ND
2022-10-1135753324001ND
2023-01-1835773982001ND
2023-01-1835773982002ND
2023-01-1835773982003ND
2023-04-0335790618001ND
2023-10-1635835809001ND