p-Dichlorobenzene
Black Bayou Water Association
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 | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-03-13 | 140314-005VO | ND |
| 2014-05-27 | 140528-010VO | ND |
| 2014-08-25 | 140826-012VO | ND |
| 2014-09-22 | 140923-013VO | ND |
| 2014-10-13 | 141014-012VO | ND |
| 2015-09-15 | 150916-019VO | ND |
| 2015-09-15 | 150916-018VO | ND |
| 2015-09-15 | 150916-014VO | ND |
| 2016-09-14 | 160914-008VO | ND |
| 2016-09-28 | 160929-019VO | ND |
| 2016-12-20 | 161221-044VO | ND |
| 2017-12-20 | 171221-007VO | ND |
| 2018-02-07 | 180208-001VO | ND |
| 2018-05-09 | 180510-001VO | ND |
| 2018-08-01 | 180802-008VO | ND |
| 2019-08-07 | 190808-024VO | ND |
| 2019-08-07 | 190808-023VO | ND |
| 2019-11-07 | 191108-007VO | ND |