p-Dichlorobenzene
Pennsylvania American Water Company Butler
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-12 | 38836501 | ND |
| 2019-03-05 | 43248101 | ND |
| 2020-03-09 | 21939735.00 | ND |
| 2021-03-01 | 24158491.00 | ND |
| 2022-03-07 | 26380907.00 | ND |
| 2023-03-07 | 28618847.00 | ND |
| 2023-03-14 | 28618956.00 | ND |
| 2023-03-27 | 28618977.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-10 | 28809076.00 | ND |
| 2023-04-25 | 28809097.00 | ND |
| 2023-05-09 | 29010750.00 | ND |