p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Refugio
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-20 | AE14479 | ND |
| 2019-06-10 | AE69760 | ND |
| 2019-08-15 | AE78928 | ND |
| 2020-03-12 | AF02613 | ND |
| 2020-03-12 | AF02617 | ND |
| 2020-03-12 | AF02619 | ND |
| 2020-04-15 | AF06851 | ND |
| 2020-07-30 | AF21425 | ND |
| 2020-10-28 | AF32676 | ND |
| 2021-08-19 | AF67170 | ND |
| 2021-08-19 | AF67184 | ND |
| 2021-08-19 | AF67182 | ND |
| 2022-04-29 | AF95106 | ND |
| 2022-04-29 | AF95108 | ND |
| 2022-04-29 | AF95110 | ND |
| 2023-02-16 | AG29329 | ND |
| 2023-02-16 | AG29333 | ND |
| 2023-06-05 | AG43020 | ND |