Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

St. Tam Parish-faubourg-coquille

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.

 

14

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019N/A00N/A
2020ND40ND
2021ND20ND
2022N/A00N/A
20230.0475 ppb41ND - 0.190 ppb

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
2018-06-1135398326001ND
2018-06-1135398326002ND
2018-06-1135398326001ND
2018-06-1135398326002ND
2020-06-0935556143001ND
2020-06-0935556143002ND
2020-06-0935556143003ND
2020-10-2635587899001ND
2021-06-2235642987001ND
2021-06-2235642987002ND
2023-06-2635809805001ND
2023-06-2635809805002ND
2023-06-26358098050030.190 ppb
2023-06-2635809805004ND