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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Liberty

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

58

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

24

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
201421.5 ppb161613.9 ppb - 30.3 ppb
20158.83 ppb168ND - 27.2 ppb
2016ND160ND
2017ND60ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-01-29AC1664630.3 ppb
2014-01-29AC1664524.1 ppb
2014-01-29AC1664825.6 ppb
2014-01-29AC1664730.1 ppb
2014-04-30AC2155219.2 ppb
2014-04-30AC2155317.2 ppb
2014-04-30AC2155420.6 ppb
2014-04-30AC2155523.6 ppb
2014-07-23AC3056319.5 ppb
2014-07-23AC3056020.9 ppb
2014-07-23AC3056119.5 ppb
2014-07-23AC3056228.4 ppb
2014-12-03AC3761218.6 ppb
2014-12-03AC3761317.4 ppb
2014-12-03AC3761414.3 ppb
2014-12-03AC3761513.9 ppb
2015-01-14AC40338ND
2015-01-14AC40337ND
2015-01-14AC40336ND
2015-01-14AC40339ND
2015-04-28AC45014ND
2015-04-28AC45015ND
2015-04-28AC45016ND
2015-04-28AC45017ND
2015-08-05AC5423317.2 ppb
2015-08-05AC5423216.3 ppb
2015-08-05AC5423112.3 ppb
2015-08-05AC5423014.0 ppb
2015-10-22AC6117415.3 ppb
2015-10-22AC6117719.0 ppb
2015-10-22AC6117620.0 ppb
2015-10-22AC6117527.2 ppb
2016-01-14AC64981ND
2016-01-14AC64982ND
2016-01-14AC64980ND
2016-01-14AC64979ND
2016-04-14AC69339ND
2016-04-14AC69340ND
2016-04-14AC69338ND
2016-04-14AC69341ND
2016-07-11AC79667ND
2016-07-11AC79668ND
2016-07-11AC79669ND
2016-07-11AC79670ND
2016-10-25AC86249ND
2016-10-25AC86250ND
2016-10-25AC86248ND
2016-10-25AC86247ND
2017-01-17AC89060ND
2017-01-17AC89059ND
2017-01-17AC89058ND
2017-01-17AC89057ND
2017-07-07AD01345ND
2017-07-07AD01346ND
2018-07-19AD29123ND
2018-07-19AD29124ND
2019-07-10AD51740ND
2019-07-10AD51741ND