p-Dichlorobenzene
City of Martinsburg
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 | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-08 | VOC_1401722-01A | ND |
| 2014-01-13 | VOC_1401C35-02A | ND |
| 2015-01-14 | VOC_1501F37-02A | ND |
| 2015-01-21 | VOC_1501M79-01A | ND |
| 2016-01-11 | 242862-2016-DWA | ND |
| 2016-02-22 | 1602Q15-01A | ND |
| 2017-01-05 | 261198-2017-DW | ND |
| 2017-02-06 | 17020743-01A | ND |
| 2018-01-04 | 279455-2018-DWV | ND |
| 2018-01-11 | 279768-2018-DWV | ND |
| 2019-01-15 | 299672-2019-DWV | ND |
| 2019-01-16 | 299775-2019-DWV | ND |