Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Chloroform

Meadville Area Water Authority

Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Read More.

In addition to tap water disinfection, chloroform pollution in the environment also comes from industrial discharges from pulp and paper mills, and from urban wastewater effluent. Human studies show that chloroform damages the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. In animals, chloroform causes infertility, birth defects and cancer.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

5

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.930 ppb220.640 ppb - 1.22 ppb
20191.21 ppb21ND - 2.42 ppb
2020ND20ND
2021ND20ND
20220.995 ppb21ND - 1.99 ppb
20230.780 ppb21ND - 1.56 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-08-1518H1741-011.22 ppb
2018-10-1718J1638-010.640 ppb
2019-04-1819D0174-012.42 ppb
2019-10-1619J0212-01ND
2020-04-15ND
2020-10-14ND
2021-04-14ND
2021-10-13ND
2022-04-151.99 ppb
2022-10-19ND
2023-04-181.56 ppb
2023-10-18ND