Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

College Place Water Department

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.

 

9

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020N/A00N/A
2021N/A00N/A
2022ND40ND
2023ND30ND

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
2018-06-25ND
2019-09-17ND
2022-05-314364682ND
2022-08-224364685ND
2022-08-224364686ND
2022-11-014373087ND
2023-02-064411984ND
2023-08-294512981ND
2023-12-124560258ND