Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Paw Penn District

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

34

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

12

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.450 ppb61ND - 2.70 ppb
20190.550 ppb166ND - 2.90 ppb
20200.700 ppb62ND - 3.20 ppb
20211.25 ppb21ND - 2.50 ppb
20221.85 ppb21ND - 3.70 ppb
20231.70 ppb21ND - 3.40 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-07-05402075012.70 ppb
2018-07-0540207401ND
2018-10-088102701-01ND
2018-10-088102701-04ND
2018-10-088102701-02ND
2018-10-088102701-03ND
2019-01-0742498401ND
2019-01-0742498301ND
2019-01-0742499801ND
2019-01-07424997011.10 ppb
2019-04-0843658601ND
2019-04-08436587011.000 ppb
2019-04-0843658801ND
2019-04-0843658901ND
2019-07-0845018401ND
2019-07-0845016501ND
2019-07-08450183011.50 ppb
2019-07-08450166011.10 ppb
2019-10-07468320012.90 ppb
2019-10-07468319011.20 ppb
2019-10-0746832201ND
2019-10-0746832101ND
2020-01-06ND
2020-01-06ND
2020-01-06ND
2020-01-06ND
2020-07-063.20 ppb
2020-10-071.000 ppb
2021-07-062.50 ppb
2021-10-06ND
2022-07-053.70 ppb
2022-10-06ND
2023-07-053.40 ppb
2023-10-06ND