p-Dichlorobenzene
San Diego Municipal Utility District 1
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 | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-12 | AE13322 | ND |
| 2018-06-04 | AE28555 | ND |
| 2019-02-11 | AE53819 | ND |
| 2019-05-06 | AE64908 | ND |
| 2020-06-04 | AF14192 | ND |
| 2020-06-04 | AF14196 | ND |
| 2021-06-07 | AF57519 | ND |
| 2021-07-22 | AF63070 | ND |
| 2021-11-29 | AF77508 | ND |
| 2021-11-29 | AF77520 | ND |
| 2022-01-20 | AF80982 | ND |
| 2022-01-20 | AF81002 | ND |
| 2023-02-22 | AG29940 | ND |
| 2023-04-24 | AG37704 | ND |
| 2023-07-24 | AG49832 | ND |
| 2023-11-15 | AG63792 | ND |