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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Perchlorate

Glen Cove City

Perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, occurs both naturally and as a synthetic chemical. Ingested perchlorate interferes with thyroid function. Exposure to perchlorate during pregnancy and childhood can impair cognitive development. Read More.

According to the EPA, perchlorate likely contaminates the water of more than 16 million Americans. Perchlorate interferes with iodine uptake in the thyroid, which can result in reduced thyroid hormones and an impact on metabolism, physical development and cognitive development. Children and developing fetuses are the most at risk from perchlorate contamination.

Perchlorate is the only unregulated contaminant for which the EPA has attempted to set a federal drinking water standard since 1996. However, the agency has yet to propose a draft limit for this contaminant. Perchlorate in drinking water is regulated in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Texas. California set a public health goal of 1 part per billion for perchlorate in 2015.

Click here to read more about perchlorate.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

69

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

51

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
20141.61 ppb139ND - 3.90 ppb
20152.18 ppb11111.30 ppb - 2.70 ppb
20161.59 ppb1311ND - 2.30 ppb
20170.822 ppb95ND - 2.10 ppb
20181.33 ppb128ND - 4.20 ppb
20190.809 ppb117ND - 1.90 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppb for perchlorate 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 hormone disruption.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-02-261402F28-001-PRIND
2014-02-261402F26-001-PRIND
2014-02-271402F25-0012.50 ppb
2014-02-271402F25-002-POCS2.20 ppb
2014-02-271402F24-001-PRI3.90 ppb
2014-03-171403A89-001-PRIND
2014-03-171403A89-002-PRIND
2014-04-071404469-001-PRI2.60 ppb
2014-04-071404469-002-POCS2.60 ppb
2014-09-081409484-002-POCS1.90 ppb
2014-09-081409484-001-POCS1.80 ppb
2014-11-171411A65-001-POCS1.70 ppb
2014-11-171411A65-002-POCS1.70 ppb
2015-02-121502799-003-PRI2.70 ppb
2015-02-121502799-002-PRI1.60 ppb
2015-02-121502799-001-PRI1.30 ppb
2015-02-121502799-0042.20 ppb
2015-02-121502799-005-POCS2.20 ppb
2015-04-201504E50-001-PRI2.60 ppb
2015-04-201504E50-002-POCS2.70 ppb
2015-09-091509587-0032.30 ppb
2015-09-091509587-0042.50 ppb
2015-11-091511622-0021.90 ppb
2015-11-091511622-0012.00 ppb
2016-02-0416023783-004 PRI2.30 ppb
2016-02-041602373-0061.90 ppb
2016-02-041602373-001 PRI1.60 ppb
2016-02-041602373-0051.90 ppb
2016-02-041602373-002 PRI1.70 ppb
2016-03-101603822-002 PRIND
2016-03-101603822-003 PRIND
2016-04-111604978-007 PRI2.10 ppb
2016-04-111604978-006 PRI2.00 ppb
2016-09-121609861-0031.80 ppb
2016-09-121609861-0021.90 ppb
2016-11-147044770051.80 ppb
2016-11-147044770041.70 ppb
2017-02-0670106130061.50 ppb
2017-02-067010613004 PRI2.10 ppb
2017-02-0670106130051.30 ppb
2017-02-067010613002 PRI1.40 ppb
2017-02-067010613001 PRI1.10 ppb
2017-03-097013122003-PRIND
2017-03-097013122004-PRIND
2017-04-177016011006-PRIND
2017-04-17016011007ND
2018-02-017041887002-PRI4.20 ppb
2018-02-017041887001-PRI1.40 ppb
2018-02-017041887004-PRI2.20 ppb
2018-03-087044804002-PRIND
2018-03-087044804003-PRIND
2018-04-1170479890061.90 ppb
2018-04-1170479890071.50 ppb
2018-05-2370525430012.30 ppb
2018-09-1770650290021.20 ppb
2018-09-1770650290011.30 ppb
2018-11-017069723003ND
2018-11-017069723004ND
2019-03-147082364001-PRIND
2019-04-0470846580071.10 ppb
2019-04-0470846580041.10 ppb
2019-04-047084658005ND
2019-04-0470846580081.20 ppb
2019-11-07701111210061.20 ppb
2019-11-0770111121005ND
2019-12-31701168190021.20 ppb
2019-12-3170116819001ND
2019-12-31701168190031.20 ppb
2019-12-31701168190041.90 ppb