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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Cyanide

Westford Water Department

Cyanide is a toxic chemical that causes central nervous system and thyroid toxicity. Water contamination is generally the result of metal mining and chemical industry waste, runoff from agriculture and road salts used for melting ice.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for cyanide 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 harm to the brain and nervous system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 200 ppb

The legal limit for cyanide, established in 1992, was based on a 1955 toxicity study conducted in laboratory animals. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Result
2014-06-11ND
2014-06-11ND
2015-05-04ND
2015-05-04ND
2016-04-05ND
2016-04-06ND
2017-05-24ND
2017-05-24ND
2018-05-15ND
2018-05-16ND
2019-05-01ND
2019-05-01ND