p-Dichlorobenzene
Roberts Creek Water District
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 | 0.760 ppb | 1 | 1 | 0.760 ppb |
| 2015 | 0.725 ppb | 4 | 4 | 0.500 ppb - 1.30 ppb |
| 2016 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-11-12 | 411121601-V | 0.760 ppb |
| 2015-01-22 | 501221001-V | 0.600 ppb |
| 2015-05-18 | 505180501 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2015-08-17 | 508170601-V | 1.30 ppb |
| 2015-11-09 | 511091802 | 0.500 ppb |
| 2016-11-28 | 611280901-V | ND |
| 2017-12-27 | 712270301-V | ND |
| 2018-01-16 | 801161101-V | ND |
| 2019-09-24 | 909240601-V | ND |