p-Dichlorobenzene
Town of Berlin
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-28 | E18003510004 | ND |
| 2018-03-28 | E18003510006 | ND |
| 2018-03-28 | E18003510001 | ND |
| 2019-08-29 | E20000856001 | ND |
| 2019-08-29 | E20000856004 | ND |
| 2019-08-29 | E20000856008 | ND |
| 2020-07-27 | E21000258006 | ND |
| 2020-07-27 | E21000258004 | ND |
| 2020-07-27 | E21000258001 | ND |
| 2021-05-06 | E21003198001 | ND |
| 2021-05-06 | E21003199001 | ND |
| 2021-05-06 | E21003200001 | ND |
| 2022-02-16 | 021622_01_021722256 | ND |
| 2022-02-16 | 021622_02_021722259 | ND |
| 2023-05-17 | E2300288306 | ND |
| 2023-05-17 | E2300290201 | ND |
| 2023-06-08 | E2300290106 | ND |