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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

62

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

25

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20143.39 ppb166ND - 26.2 ppb
20150.763 ppb83ND - 2.90 ppb
20161.43 ppb85ND - 4.00 ppb
20170.688 ppb84ND - 1.60 ppb
20180.450 ppb61ND - 2.70 ppb
20190.550 ppb166ND - 2.90 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2014-01-0724407801ND
2014-01-0724410901ND
2014-01-0724407901ND
2014-01-08244108011.90 ppb
2014-04-072533910126.2 ppb
2014-04-0725336901ND
2014-04-0725339201ND
2014-04-0725337001ND
2014-07-072611460113.8 ppb
2014-07-07261128013.40 ppb
2014-07-0726112901ND
2014-07-07261147016.50 ppb
2014-10-0627100801ND
2014-10-0627100701ND
2014-10-0627103401ND
2014-10-06271033012.40 ppb
2015-01-0512315519ND
2015-01-0512315525ND
2015-04-07126607011.50 ppb
2015-04-0712660707ND
2015-07-06130434362.90 ppb
2015-07-0613043442ND
2015-10-05134197391.70 ppb
2015-10-0513419745ND
2016-01-05137831624.00 ppb
2016-01-0513783168ND
2016-04-0414139384ND
2016-04-04141393781.20 ppb
2016-07-06146103581.50 ppb
2016-07-06146103642.90 ppb
2016-10-04151124281.80 ppb
2016-10-0415112434ND
2017-01-10155516251.30 ppb
2017-01-1015551631ND
2017-04-05159757351.20 ppb
2017-04-0515975729ND
2017-07-06164501541.40 ppb
2017-07-0616450148ND
2017-10-0516915011ND
2017-10-05169150051.60 ppb
2018-07-05402075012.70 ppb
2018-07-0540207401ND
2018-10-088102701-03ND
2018-10-088102701-01ND
2018-10-088102701-04ND
2018-10-088102701-02ND
2019-01-0742498301ND
2019-01-0742498401ND
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
2019-10-07468319011.20 ppb
2019-10-0746832101ND
2019-10-0746832201ND
2019-10-07468320012.90 ppb