Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Benzo[a]pyrene

The Mountain Water System

Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

 

20

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND20ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND50ND
2022ND50ND
2023ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.007 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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): 0.2 ppb

The legal limit for benzo[a]pyrene, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to PAH exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2019-02-26680-165152-1ND
2019-02-26680-165148-1ND
2020-03-18481645ND
2020-05-28487290ND
2020-09-02497125ND
2020-12-15506069ND
2021-03-161034274-01ND
2021-05-111053573-01ND
2021-08-181085286-01ND
2021-09-24810-3688-1ND
2021-12-28810-11017-1ND
2022-03-14810-18538-1ND
2022-05-23FWE0084-01ND
2022-09-20FWJ0174ND
2022-09-20FWH0472-01ND
2022-12-13FWJ0174-01ND
2023-02-16FXB0443-01ND
2023-04-05FXC0477ND
2023-08-03FXF0558ND
2023-11-1568353501ND