p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Alamo Heights
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2015 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 8 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-04-27 | AC89591 | ND |
| 2015-04-27 | AC89585 | ND |
| 2015-04-27 | AC89593 | ND |
| 2015-04-27 | AC89587 | ND |
| 2015-04-27 | AC89595 | ND |
| 2016-03-15 | AD28830 | ND |
| 2016-03-15 | AD28838 | ND |
| 2016-03-15 | AD28804 | ND |
| 2016-03-15 | AD28810 | ND |
| 2016-03-15 | AD28808 | ND |
| 2017-04-10 | AD79194 | ND |
| 2017-04-10 | AD79192 | ND |
| 2017-04-10 | AD79188 | ND |
| 2017-04-10 | AD79204 | ND |
| 2017-04-10 | AD79190 | ND |
| 2018-01-10 | AE08651 | ND |
| 2018-01-10 | AE08653 | ND |
| 2018-01-10 | AE08663 | ND |
| 2018-01-10 | AE08665 | ND |
| 2018-01-10 | AE08659 | ND |
| 2018-04-09 | AE21698 | ND |
| 2018-08-03 | AE35854 | ND |
| 2018-10-12 | AE43450 | ND |
| 2019-03-01 | AE56929 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | AE60220 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | AE60232 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | AE60222 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | AE60258 | ND |