Pentachlorophenol
Lehigh County Authority Allentown Division
Pentachlorophenol is a carcinogenic chemical used as a wood preservative. It harms developing fetuses, and causes immune suppression and hormone disruption.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2020 | ND | 8 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2022 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2023 | 0.0108 ppb | 12 | 1 | ND - 0.130 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.3 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppb for pentachlorophenol 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): 1 ppb
The legal limit for pentachlorophenol, established in 1991, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-08 | 22077914.00 | ND |
| 2020-04-14 | 22077870.00 | ND |
| 2020-04-14 | 22077834.00 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | 22078448.00 | ND |
| 2020-07-08 | 22660554.00 | ND |
| 2020-07-16 | 22660594.00 | ND |
| 2020-07-22 | 22660668.00 | ND |
| 2020-07-22 | 22660630.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-11 | 28759116.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-11 | 28759117.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-19 | 28759274.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-26 | 28958465.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-26 | 28958466.00 | ND |
| 2023-07-11 | 29355982.00 | ND |
| 2023-07-11 | 29355981.00 | ND |
| 2023-07-18 | 29355919.00 | ND |
| 2023-07-18 | 29355920.00 | 0.130 ppb |
| 2023-07-25 | 29554471.00 | ND |
| 2023-10-25 | 29937652.00 | ND |
| 2023-11-01 | 30120219.00 | ND |