Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Pentachlorophenol

Topsfield Water Department

Pentachlorophenol is a carcinogenic chemical used as a wood preservative. It harms developing fetuses, and causes immune suppression and hormone disruption.

 

11

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND30ND
2020ND10ND
2021N/A00N/A
2022ND20ND
2023ND10ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.3 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppb for pentachlorophenol 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): 1 ppb

The legal limit for pentachlorophenol, established in 1991, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Result
2018-02-28ND
2018-02-28ND
2018-09-13ND
2018-09-13ND
2019-02-04ND
2019-02-04ND
2019-02-04ND
2020-01-13ND
2022-02-03ND
2022-09-27ND
2023-03-16ND