p-Dichlorobenzene
Berlin Water Department
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 | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 8 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-09-08 | 14-1423VOC | ND |
| 2014-09-08 | 14-1424VOC | ND |
| 2015-06-01 | 15-0815VOC | ND |
| 2015-07-30 | 15-1207VOC | ND |
| 2015-12-02 | 15-1875VOC | ND |
| 2016-02-02 | L5966078-1 | ND |
| 2016-03-08 | L6116208-1 | ND |
| 2016-06-21 | L6124902-1 | ND |
| 2016-09-27 | L6312432-1 | ND |
| 2016-12-28 | L6465596-1 | ND |
| 2017-03-22 | L6596561-1 | ND |
| 2017-05-30 | L6810600-4 | ND |
| 2017-06-05 | L6718076-1 | ND |
| 2017-09-11 | L6852721-1 | ND |
| 2017-10-10 | L6852720-1 | ND |
| 2017-10-10 | L6852720-3 | ND |
| 2017-10-10 | L6852720-2 | ND |
| 2017-10-10 | L6852720-4 | ND |
| 2018-02-21 | 8024360-01 | ND |
| 2018-05-23 | L7006678-1 | ND |