p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Baltimore
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 | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2016 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-02-04 | 0300002_01_TREAT | ND |
| 2014-02-11 | 0300002_02_TREAT | ND |
| 2014-02-12 | 0300002_02_TREAT | ND |
| 2016-05-05 | 0300002_TREATED_ | ND |
| 2016-05-10 | 0300002_TREATED_ | ND |
| 2016-05-16 | 0300002_TREATEDT | ND |
| 2017-04-06 | TREATED_A | ND |
| 2018-02-14 | E18002961001 | ND |
| 2018-05-14 | E18004097001 | ND |
| 2018-05-14 | E18004097004 | ND |
| 2018-09-17 | E19000965008 | ND |
| 2018-10-25 | E19001402004 | ND |
| 2019-05-09 | MONT13033376 | ND |
| 2019-05-09 | MONT23033376 | ND |
| 2019-05-10 | ASH3033376 | ND |
| 2019-05-21 | E19003945012 | ND |
| 2019-07-31 | E20000429004 | ND |