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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

West Plains

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

 

70

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

15

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
20140.850 ppb161ND - 13.6 ppb
20153.31 ppb164ND - 15.1 ppb
20160.881 ppb161ND - 14.1 ppb
20176.35 ppb62ND - 22.1 ppb
20181.39 ppb81ND - 11.1 ppb
201911.0 ppb86ND - 19.4 ppb

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
2014-02-10AC18194ND
2014-02-10AC18195ND
2014-02-10AC18196ND
2014-02-10AC18193ND
2014-05-12AC23201ND
2014-05-12AC2320213.6 ppb
2014-05-12AC23203ND
2014-05-12AC23204ND
2014-08-26AC33309ND
2014-08-26AC33311ND
2014-08-26AC33310ND
2014-08-26AC33308ND
2014-11-17AC38247ND
2014-11-17AC38248ND
2014-11-17AC38249ND
2014-11-17AC38250ND
2015-02-18AC4197611.2 ppb
2015-02-18AC4197414.8 ppb
2015-02-18AC41977ND
2015-02-18AC41975ND
2015-05-06AC46544ND
2015-05-06AC46542ND
2015-05-06AC46545ND
2015-05-06AC4654311.9 ppb
2015-08-12AC57421ND
2015-08-12AC57422ND
2015-08-12AC5742315.1 ppb
2015-08-12AC57424ND
2015-11-09AC62808ND
2015-11-09AC62809ND
2015-11-09AC62810ND
2015-11-09AC62811ND
2016-02-16AC66352ND
2016-02-16AC66354ND
2016-02-16AC66353ND
2016-02-16AC66355ND
2016-05-09AC72046ND
2016-05-09AC7204814.1 ppb
2016-05-09AC72047ND
2016-05-09AC72045ND
2016-08-15AC81641ND
2016-08-15AC81642ND
2016-08-15AC81640ND
2016-08-15AC81639ND
2016-11-14AC86946ND
2016-11-14AC86947ND
2016-11-14AC86944ND
2016-11-21AC86945ND
2017-05-03AC9577816.0 ppb
2017-05-03AC9577722.1 ppb
2017-08-08AD03423ND
2017-08-08AD03422ND
2017-11-13AD09491ND
2017-11-13AD09492ND
2018-02-13AD14277ND
2018-02-13AD14278ND
2018-05-09AD20510ND
2018-05-15AD26662ND
2018-08-07AD3121711.1 ppb
2018-08-07AD31216ND
2018-11-05AD35720ND
2018-11-05AD35721ND
2019-02-11AD3938813.9 ppb
2019-02-11AD3938919.4 ppb
2019-05-08AD4746911.7 ppb
2019-05-08AD4747017.2 ppb
2019-08-13AD53944ND
2019-08-13AD53945ND
2019-11-05AD5809516.1 ppb
2019-11-05AD580969.77 ppb