Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Tensas Water District 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.

 

28

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND60ND
2020ND50ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
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
2018-01-0835367824002ND
2018-01-0835367824002ND
2018-07-3035407878001ND
2018-07-3035407878001ND
2019-01-1435442603003ND
2019-01-1435442603003ND
2019-07-3135486747001ND
2019-07-3135486747001ND
2019-10-0435502811001ND
2019-10-0435502811001ND
2020-01-0635523112001ND
2020-04-1535544425001ND
2020-08-1235570539001ND
2020-09-0935577116001ND
2020-11-1035591783001ND
2021-01-1835605842001ND
2021-05-1335633523002ND
2021-09-1535664394001ND
2021-12-0335682177001ND
2022-01-1835692112003ND
2022-04-1135711946001ND
2022-08-1535741176003ND
2022-12-0735766643001ND
2023-01-1735773661001ND
2023-02-0635778177002ND
2023-04-1235794072001ND
2023-07-1835814093001ND
2023-11-0735841747001ND