Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

City of Rio Hondo

Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

 

19

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND50ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.007 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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): 0.2 ppb

The legal limit for benzo[a]pyrene, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to PAH exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-04-25AE23995ND
2019-02-08AE53919ND
2020-03-06AF01834ND
2020-04-22AF07762ND
2020-06-09AF14684ND
2020-08-19AF24373ND
2020-10-07AF29870ND
2021-01-27AF41418ND
2021-04-29AF52015ND
2021-08-18AF66950ND
2021-12-20Q2135960001ND
2022-02-03AF83527ND
2022-04-19AF93735ND
2022-09-26AG14869ND
2022-11-17AG19240ND
2023-02-01AG27264ND
2023-05-18AG41183ND
2023-08-03AG51413ND
2023-11-09AG63128ND