p-Dichlorobenzene
Falmouth Water Department
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2015 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 17 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 8 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
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 | Result |
|---|---|
| 2015-07-07 | ND |
| 2015-07-07 | ND |
| 2015-08-20 | ND |
| 2015-10-15 | ND |
| 2016-01-11 | ND |
| 2016-01-11 | ND |
| 2016-01-12 | ND |
| 2016-01-26 | ND |
| 2016-01-27 | ND |
| 2016-01-27 | ND |
| 2016-01-28 | ND |
| 2016-02-04 | ND |
| 2016-02-05 | ND |
| 2016-02-08 | ND |
| 2016-02-09 | ND |
| 2016-02-10 | ND |
| 2016-04-11 | ND |
| 2016-04-11 | ND |
| 2016-05-20 | ND |
| 2016-07-18 | ND |
| 2016-10-04 | ND |
| 2017-01-04 | ND |
| 2017-01-04 | ND |
| 2017-04-06 | ND |
| 2017-04-06 | ND |
| 2017-10-24 | ND |
| 2018-01-08 | ND |
| 2018-04-10 | ND |
| 2018-04-10 | ND |
| 2018-04-17 | ND |
| 2018-07-17 | ND |
| 2018-07-17 | ND |
| 2018-10-02 | ND |
| 2018-10-09 | ND |
| 2019-01-08 | ND |
| 2019-05-15 | ND |
| 2019-05-15 | ND |
| 2019-07-09 | ND |
| 2019-07-09 | ND |
| 2019-10-01 | ND |