Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Pendleton Water Association

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
2018-02-2035375979001ND
2018-02-2035375979001ND
2018-08-0635409599001ND
2018-08-0635409599001ND
2019-03-1235454721001ND
2019-03-1235454721001ND
2019-08-0735490078001ND
2019-08-0735490078001ND
2020-02-1035529911001ND
2020-09-2235579669001ND
2021-01-2035606276002ND
2021-08-1835657244005ND
2022-02-2135699244001ND
2022-08-2935743858002ND
2023-02-2735782747002ND
2023-08-0735819671001ND