p-Dichlorobenzene
Watertown Waterworks
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-05 | 783787 | ND |
| 2014-05-05 | 783790 | ND |
| 2014-05-05 | 783793 | ND |
| 2015-04-20 | 855197 | ND |
| 2016-05-02 | 918945 | ND |
| 2016-05-02 | 918947 | ND |
| 2016-05-02 | 918949 | ND |
| 2017-05-03 | 986655 | ND |
| 2017-05-03 | 986659 | ND |
| 2018-02-12 | 1040467 | ND |
| 2018-04-09 | 1049313 | ND |
| 2018-04-09 | 1049315 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 1110824 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 1110826 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 1110828 | ND |