p-Dichlorobenzene
Town of Poolesville
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 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 | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-07-22 | 0150002_03_00300 | ND |
| 2014-07-22 | 0150002_05_00300 | ND |
| 2014-07-22 | 0150002_06_00300 | ND |
| 2014-07-22 | 0150002_12_00300 | ND |
| 2014-07-22 | 0150002_13_00300 | ND |
| 2015-12-09 | E16002386001 | ND |
| 2016-07-13 | E17000144001 | ND |
| 2016-11-01 | E17001957001 | ND |
| 2017-06-13 | E17004914001 | ND |
| 2017-06-13 | E17004914004 | ND |
| 2017-06-13 | E17004914007 | ND |
| 2017-06-13 | E17004914008 | ND |
| 2017-06-13 | E17004914010 | ND |
| 2019-07-02 | E20000017006 | ND |
| 2019-07-02 | E20000017004 | ND |
| 2019-07-02 | E20000017001 | ND |