Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Fort Detrick

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.

 

14

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND10ND
2022ND10ND
2023ND30ND

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
2018-04-202310426001ND
2018-05-09E18004053001ND
2018-08-102332019001ND
2019-04-013026562_005_006ND
2019-04-053026635001_AND
2019-04-16E19003479001ND
2019-07-263047972001_AND
2020-06-15E20003852001ND
2020-08-113120608001ND
2021-07-13E22000138001ND
2022-06-30E2300001201ND
2023-02-073286800001ND
2023-05-093302186001ND
2023-12-053335803ND