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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene)

Boston Harbor

Monochlorobenzene is used as a solvent for pesticides, a degreasing agent and an intermediate for manufacturing other chemicals. It causes liver and kidney damage in studies of laboratory animals.

 

19

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND120ND
2016ND10ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND50ND
2019N/A00N/A

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 70 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 70 ppb for monochlorobenzene 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 harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 100 ppb

The legal limit for monochlorobenzene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1960s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2015-04-0115863ND
2015-04-0115863ND
2015-04-0115863ND
2015-05-0416373ND
2015-05-0416372ND
2015-09-1718579ND
2015-09-1718578ND
2015-10-2919346ND
2015-10-2919346ND
2015-10-2919347ND
2015-10-2919347ND
2015-12-1120103ND
2016-03-08ND
2017-03-22ND
2018-05-31ND
2018-05-31ND
2018-09-24ND
2018-11-15ND
2018-12-11ND