p-Dichlorobenzene
Harris County FWSD 61
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 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-02-04 | AC41253 | ND |
| 2015-04-01 | AC86960 | ND |
| 2015-04-01 | AC86966 | ND |
| 2015-04-01 | AC86972 | ND |
| 2015-04-01 | AC86968 | ND |
| 2015-09-18 | AD07856 | ND |
| 2015-10-12 | AD10264 | ND |
| 2016-01-12 | AD17578 | ND |
| 2016-01-12 | AD17584 | ND |
| 2016-01-12 | AD17592 | ND |
| 2016-01-12 | AD17582 | ND |
| 2017-02-02 | AD68419 | ND |
| 2017-02-02 | AD68455 | ND |
| 2017-02-02 | AD68425 | ND |
| 2017-02-02 | AD68423 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | AE16318 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | AE16344 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | AE16320 | ND |
| 2018-03-01 | AE16316 | ND |
| 2019-01-09 | AE49217 | ND |
| 2019-01-09 | AE49223 | ND |
| 2019-01-09 | AE49221 | ND |
| 2019-01-09 | AE49215 | ND |