Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

City of Taneytown

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.

 

15

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019N/A00N/A
2020ND70ND
2021N/A00N/A
2022N/A00N/A
2023ND70ND

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
2018-06-20E18004568001ND
2020-03-03E20002987001ND
2020-05-05E20003476001ND
2020-05-05E20003479001ND
2020-05-05E20003480001ND
2020-09-16E21000742001ND
2020-09-16E21000743001ND
2020-09-16E21000752001ND
2023-03-21E2300223103ND
2023-03-21E2300223603ND
2023-03-21E2300223703ND
2023-05-23E2300281501ND
2023-05-23E2300281601ND
2023-05-23E2300281701ND
2023-05-23E2300281801ND