Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

Harris County Fresh Water Supply District 1a

NOTE: Harris County Fresh Water Supply District 1a purchases water from Baytown Area Water Authority which is required to test for benzo[a]pyrene. Sample information shown below was taken by Baytown Area Water Authority.

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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

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

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

NOTE: Harris County Fresh Water Supply District 1a purchases water from Baytown Area Water Authority which is required to test for benzo[a]pyrene. Sample information shown below was taken by Baytown Area Water Authority.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-12AE13417ND
2019-01-14AE49689ND
2020-03-16AF03095ND
2021-01-12AF38943ND
2021-10-20Q2129689001ND
2022-01-12Q2201251001ND
2022-01-12Q2201251002ND
2022-04-04AF91895ND
2022-07-05AG03297ND
2022-10-11AG16723ND
2023-01-12AG24532ND
2023-01-12AG24533ND
2023-04-05AG35693ND