Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

City of Bowie

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)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND10ND
2021ND40ND
20220.00500 ppb41ND - 0.0200 ppb
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

Date Lab ID Result
2018-06-05Q1822320001ND
2019-02-20Q1907486001ND
2020-03-18Q2011976001ND
2021-03-10Q2106369001ND
2021-05-12Q2112415001ND
2021-09-22Q2125955001ND
2021-11-29Q2132835001ND
2022-03-07Q22076480010.0200 ppb
2022-05-11Q2214197003ND
2022-08-03Q2222249005ND
2022-10-11Q2230700003ND
2023-01-24Q2303291002ND