p-Dichlorobenzene
Yerkes Water Association
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 | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-11-21 | 14112123-01 | ND |
| 2015-03-28 | 12518180 | ND |
| 2015-06-04 | 12884811 | ND |
| 2015-09-10 | 13267088 | ND |
| 2015-12-07 | 13635782 | ND |
| 2016-03-14 | 13988882 | ND |
| 2016-06-28 | 14573179 | ND |
| 2016-08-04 | 14738622 | ND |
| 2016-11-17 | 15374821 | ND |
| 2017-02-16 | 15798679 | ND |
| 2017-05-04 | 16097840 | ND |
| 2017-08-17 | 16569373 | ND |
| 2017-10-23 | 16883180 | ND |
| 2018-01-11 | 8010197-01 | ND |
| 2018-01-11 | 8010197-02 | ND |
| 2018-04-10 | 8041138-01 | ND |
| 2018-07-19 | 8070920-02 | ND |
| 2018-10-11 | 8101124-02 | ND |
| 2019-01-11 | 9011009-02 | ND |
| 2019-04-02 | 9040376-01 | ND |
| 2019-07-18 | 9070633-01 | ND |
| 2019-10-03 | 9100450-01 | ND |