Benzene
Cortland
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. It also damages blood cells and the nervous system. Emissions from petroleum processing, hazardous waste landfills and underground storage tanks contaminate drinking water with benzene. Read More.
To protect against cancer risks, California set a public health goal for benzene in drinking water at 0.15 parts per billion, 30 times lower than the federal legal limit of 5 parts per billion.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
2016 | ND | 15 | 0 | ND |
2017 | ND | 9 | 0 | ND |
2018 | ND | 9 | 0 | ND |
2019 | ND | 7 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.15 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.15 ppb for benzene 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) 5 ppb
The legal limit for benzene, established in 1987, 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 benzene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-04-24 | POC 14 CORTLAND | ND |
2015-05-28 | POC 15 CORTLAND | ND |
2016-02-09 | POC 16W3M2 CORTL | ND |
2016-02-17 | POC 16W4M2 CORTL | ND |
2016-02-17 | POC 16W5M2 CORTL | ND |
2016-03-22 | POC 16W4M3 CORTL | ND |
2016-03-22 | POC 16W3M3 CORTL | ND |
2016-03-22 | POC 16W5M3 CORTL | ND |
2016-06-16 | POC 16W5M6 CORTL | ND |
2016-06-16 | POC 16W3M6 CORTL | ND |
2016-06-16 | POC 16W4M6 CORTL | ND |
2016-08-08 | POC 16Q3W4 CORTL | ND |
2016-10-04 | POC 16W3Q4 CORTL | ND |
2016-10-17 | POC 16W5M10 CORT | ND |
2016-12-27 | POC 16M12W3 CORT | ND |
2016-12-27 | POC 16M12W5 CORT | ND |
2016-12-27 | POC 16M12W4 CORT | ND |
2017-03-07 | POC 17M3W4 CORTL | ND |
2017-03-30 | POC 17M3W5 CORTL | ND |
2017-05-11 | POC 17M5W3 CORTL | ND |
2017-07-27 | POC 17M7W4 CORTL | ND |
2017-07-27 | POC 17M7W5 CORTL | ND |
2017-10-12 | POC 17M10W4 CORT | ND |
2017-10-12 | POC 17M10W5 CORT | ND |
2017-12-20 | POC 17M12W4 CORT | ND |
2017-12-20 | POC 17M12W5 CORT | ND |
2018-03-29 | POC 18M3W4 CORTL | ND |
2018-03-29 | POC 18M3W5 CORTL | ND |
2018-05-31 | POC 18W3 CORTLAN | ND |
2018-06-28 | POC 18M6W5 CORTL | ND |
2018-06-28 | POC 18M6W4 CORTL | ND |
2018-09-27 | POC 18M9W4 CORTL | ND |
2018-09-27 | POC 18M9W5 CORTL | ND |
2018-12-11 | POC 18M12W4 CORT | ND |
2018-12-11 | POC 18M12W5 CORT | ND |
2019-03-07 | POC 19M3W4 CORTL | ND |
2019-05-30 | POC 19W3 CORTLAN | ND |
2019-06-26 | POC 19M6W5 CORTL | ND |
2019-06-26 | POC 19M6W4 CORTL | ND |
2019-10-09 | POC 19M10W4 CORT | ND |
2019-10-31 | POC 19 CORTLAND | ND |
2019-12-18 | POC 19M12W5 CORT | ND |