Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Chloroform

Fort Hancock Water Control and Improvement District

Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Read More.

In addition to tap water disinfection, chloroform pollution in the environment also comes from industrial discharges from pulp and paper mills, and from urban wastewater effluent. Human studies show that chloroform damages the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. In animals, chloroform causes infertility, birth defects and cancer.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

3

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.505 ppb21ND - 1.01 ppb
20190.625 ppb21ND - 1.25 ppb
2020ND20ND
2021ND20ND
20220.525 ppb21ND - 1.05 ppb
2023ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-22Q1807648006ND
2018-05-01Q18177330011.01 ppb
2019-01-29Q1904120004ND
2019-05-20Q19276140011.25 ppb
2020-06-09Q2023608001ND
2020-06-09Q2023608005ND
2021-01-12Q2100833005ND
2021-05-13Q2112537001ND
2022-02-02Q2204588002ND
2022-08-04Q22224920011.05 ppb
2023-05-15Q2318239001ND
2023-05-15Q2318239005ND