Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Metropolitan Utilities District

Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

 

35

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND110ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND70ND
2021ND50ND
2022ND20ND
2023ND60ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.007 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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): 0.2 ppb

The legal limit for benzo[a]pyrene, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to PAH exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-04-24543626ND
2018-04-24543624ND
2018-04-24543625ND
2018-06-05545300ND
2018-06-05545301ND
2018-06-05545297ND
2018-07-16560974ND
2018-08-28561295ND
2018-08-28561294ND
2018-08-28561296ND
2018-08-28561293ND
2019-04-29604249ND
2019-04-29604247ND
2019-04-29604248ND
2019-07-22621275ND
2020-04-20668338ND
2020-04-20668339ND
2020-04-20668337ND
2020-05-18676337ND
2020-05-18676349ND
2020-05-18676350ND
2020-08-03684325ND
2021-04-07727697ND
2021-04-07727698ND
2021-08-04753934ND
2021-08-04753930ND
2021-08-04746189ND
2022-04-19791724ND
2022-04-19791723ND
2023-01-17844826ND
2023-04-05855572ND
2023-04-05855571ND
2023-05-22856265ND
2023-07-25873789ND
2023-08-22874404ND