p-Dichlorobenzene
Altoona 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 | 6 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 9 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-16 | 797064 | ND |
| 2014-06-16 | 797067 | ND |
| 2014-06-16 | 797069 | ND |
| 2014-06-16 | 797062 | ND |
| 2014-06-23 | 798472 | ND |
| 2014-11-17 | 831786 | ND |
| 2015-06-22 | 866991 | ND |
| 2015-06-22 | 866986 | ND |
| 2015-06-22 | 866993 | ND |
| 2016-09-13 | 945421 | ND |
| 2016-09-13 | 945417 | ND |
| 2016-12-07 | 964760 | ND |
| 2017-03-08 | 976828 | ND |
| 2017-04-17 | 983476 | ND |
| 2017-04-17 | 983480 | ND |
| 2017-06-06 | 995884 | ND |
| 2017-07-19 | 1005209 | ND |
| 2017-07-19 | 1005206 | ND |
| 2017-07-19 | 1005188 | ND |
| 2017-09-05 | 1015787 | ND |
| 2017-12-04 | 1031739 | ND |
| 2018-03-12 | 1044559 | ND |
| 2018-06-19 | 1062457 | ND |
| 2018-06-19 | 1062452 | ND |
| 2018-09-18 | 1081371 | ND |
| 2018-12-17 | 1097851 | ND |
| 2019-03-11 | 1108740 | ND |
| 2019-06-18 | 1128839 | ND |
| 2019-06-18 | 1128844 | ND |
| 2019-09-16 | 1148215 | ND |
| 2019-12-09 | 1164494 | ND |