p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Puyallup
NOTE: City of Puyallup purchases water from City of Tacoma which is required to test for p-dichlorobenzene. Sample information shown below was taken by City of Tacoma.
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 | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2021 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 1 | 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
NOTE: City of Puyallup purchases water from City of Tacoma which is required to test for p-dichlorobenzene. Sample information shown below was taken by City of Tacoma.
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-07 | ND | |
| 2018-03-12 | ND | |
| 2018-03-19 | ND | |
| 2019-01-02 | ND | |
| 2019-07-24 | ND | |
| 2019-12-03 | ND | |
| 2021-06-21 | 4137308 | ND |
| 2021-06-21 | 4137309 | ND |
| 2021-06-21 | 4137307 | ND |
| 2021-06-21 | 4233773 | ND |
| 2021-06-30 | 4142811 | ND |
| 2022-09-15 | 4368469 | ND |
| 2022-09-23 | 4368470 | ND |
| 2022-10-11 | 4363364 | ND |
| 2022-11-15 | 4428454 | ND |
| 2022-11-16 | 4388597 | ND |
| 2023-06-20 | 4542958 | ND |
| 2023-07-12 | 4542960 | ND |
| 2023-07-12 | 4542959 | ND |