p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Opelousas Water System
p-Dichlorobenzene is a carcinogenic insecticide used in mothballs, and added to deodorant blocks made for trash cans and toilets. Long-term exposure can cause liver damage and kidney problems.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 10 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2020 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2023 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 6 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 6 ppb for p-dichlorobenzene 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): 75 ppb
The legal limit for p-dichlorobenzene, established in 1987, was based on toxicity studies conducted in laboratory animals in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to p-dichlorobenzene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792002 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792003 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792004 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792005 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792001 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792002 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792003 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792004 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792005 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 35367792001 | ND |
| 2020-08-17 | 35571769002 | ND |
| 2020-08-17 | 35571769001 | ND |
| 2021-01-19 | 35606222002 | ND |
| 2021-01-19 | 35606222003 | ND |
| 2021-01-19 | 35606222004 | ND |
| 2021-01-19 | 35606222005 | ND |
| 2023-08-28 | 35823882001 | ND |
| 2023-08-28 | 35823882002 | ND |
| 2023-08-28 | 35823882003 | ND |
| 2023-08-28 | 35823882004 | ND |
| 2023-08-28 | 35823882005 | ND |
| 2023-08-28 | 35823882006 | ND |