Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Chloroform

Study Butte Terlingua Water System

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.

 

11

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

3

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND10ND
20201.05 ppb21ND - 2.09 ppb
2021ND20ND
20220.665 ppb21ND - 1.33 ppb
20231.06 ppb21ND - 2.12 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
2018-01-22Q1802860001ND
2018-08-27Q1834499001ND
2019-03-20Q1911774004ND
2020-02-03Q2004904001ND
2020-05-05Q20178300012.09 ppb
2021-06-07Q2115084001ND
2021-06-07Q2115084002ND
2022-01-25Q2202773002ND
2022-05-10Q22142100011.33 ppb
2023-01-24Q2303486001ND
2023-08-28Q23373700012.12 ppb