p-Dichlorobenzene
Withee 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 | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-13 | 766095 | ND |
| 2014-04-07 | 778377 | ND |
| 2014-07-15 | 803076 | ND |
| 2014-10-14 | 825569 | ND |
| 2015-01-21 | 839916 | ND |
| 2015-04-14 | 854040 | ND |
| 2015-07-14 | 870906 | ND |
| 2015-10-06 | 887539 | ND |
| 2016-01-04 | 900038 | ND |
| 2016-04-04 | 913348 | ND |
| 2016-07-12 | 932861 | ND |
| 2016-10-12 | 953068 | ND |
| 2017-01-03 | 968358 | ND |
| 2017-04-03 | 980831 | ND |
| 2017-07-17 | 1004253 | ND |
| 2018-01-24 | 1038590 | ND |
| 2019-01-09 | 1100483 | ND |