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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Benzo[a]pyrene

Bethpage WD

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.

 

38

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND120ND
2016ND90ND
2017N/A00N/A
2018ND90ND
2019ND80ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2015-03-231503F55-001ND
2015-04-091504634-001ND
2015-06-081506620-002ND
2015-06-081506620-001ND
2015-06-091506727-001ND
2015-06-091506768-001ND
2015-06-09156727-002ND
2015-06-091506768-002ND
2015-06-101506874-001ND
2015-06-101506849-001ND
2015-07-011507016-001ND
2015-10-021510136-001ND
2016-04-011604038-002ND
2016-04-011604038-001ND
2016-06-091606933-002ND
2016-06-091606993-001ND
2016-06-091606933-003ND
2016-06-101606A77-001ND
2016-06-101606A06-001ND
2016-06-101606A06-002ND
2016-06-101606A77-002ND
2018-02-067042094006ND
2018-02-067042094001ND
2018-02-067042094003ND
2018-02-067042094008ND
2018-02-067042094007ND
2018-02-067042094005ND
2018-02-067042094002ND
2018-02-067042094004ND
2018-02-067042094009ND
2019-09-1670105002006ND
2019-09-1670105002001ND
2019-09-1670105002007ND
2019-09-1670105002004ND
2019-09-1670105002002ND
2019-09-1670105002005ND
2019-09-1670105002003ND
2019-09-2070105818001ND