Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

City of Trinidad

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND30ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND10ND
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
2018-05-31Q1821775001ND
2019-03-04Q1908970004ND
2020-03-18Q2011900001ND
2020-09-24Q2037859002ND
2020-11-10Q2044163002ND
2021-02-04Q2103564001ND
2021-04-15Q2109768003ND
2022-05-16Q2214448005ND
2023-02-27Q2307801002ND
2023-05-11Q2318007002ND
2023-08-28Q2336744002ND
2023-11-20Q2349787002ND