p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Madison
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 | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-27 | 140528-004VO | ND |
| 2014-08-26 | 140827-001VO | ND |
| 2015-07-27 | 150728-018VO | ND |
| 2016-06-13 | 160614-019VO | ND |
| 2016-07-26 | 160727-005VO | ND |
| 2016-09-26 | 160927-028VO | ND |
| 2017-03-13 | 170314-006VO | ND |
| 2017-06-07 | 170608-003VO | ND |
| 2017-08-10 | 170811-001VO | ND |
| 2017-08-29 | 170830-006VO | ND |
| 2017-11-08 | 171109-005VO | ND |
| 2018-07-16 | 180717-011VO | ND |
| 2018-12-28 | 181228-002VO | ND |
| 2019-07-15 | 190716-010VO | ND |
| 2019-07-15 | 190716-011VO | ND |