Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Fort George G. Meade

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

65

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

31

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
20150.790 ppb110.790 ppb
20160.788 ppb167ND - 3.30 ppb
20170.775 ppb167ND - 3.10 ppb
20180.638 ppb166ND - 4.00 ppb
20190.881 ppb1610ND - 1.90 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2015-06-010.790 ppb*
2016-02-0331155701ND
2016-02-0331155601ND
2016-02-0331155501ND
2016-02-03311554011.40 ppb
2016-05-0331845001ND
2016-05-0331845301ND
2016-05-0331845101ND
2016-05-0331845201ND
2016-08-02328691013.30 ppb
2016-08-0232869001ND
2016-08-02328689011.000 ppb
2016-08-02328688011.50 ppb
2016-11-01337177012.20 ppb
2016-11-01337174012.20 ppb
2016-11-01337175011.000 ppb
2016-11-0133717601ND
2017-02-0134706701ND
2017-02-0134706801ND
2017-02-0134706501ND
2017-02-0134706601ND
2017-05-0235528201ND
2017-05-02355280011.50 ppb
2017-05-02355281011.000 ppb
2017-05-03355283013.10 ppb
2017-08-01367973012.30 ppb
2017-08-01367971011.20 ppb
2017-08-0136797201ND
2017-08-01367970012.20 ppb
2017-11-0737636701ND
2017-11-0737636801ND
2017-11-0737636901ND
2017-11-07376366011.10 ppb
2018-02-0638659201ND
2018-02-0638659301ND
2018-02-0638659001ND
2018-02-0638659101ND
2018-05-0139445501ND
2018-05-01394457011.10 ppb
2018-05-01394454011.30 ppb
2018-05-0139445601ND
2018-08-06408318011.60 ppb
2018-08-06408321014.00 ppb
2018-08-0640832001ND
2018-08-06408319011.10 ppb
2018-11-05418396011.10 ppb
2018-11-0541839701ND
2018-11-0541839901ND
2018-11-0541839801ND
2019-02-0543290801ND
2019-02-05432907011.20 ppb
2019-02-0543290901ND
2019-02-0543290601ND
2019-05-0144117401ND
2019-05-01441173011.30 ppb
2019-05-01441175011.50 ppb
2019-05-01441172011.30 ppb
2019-08-05460740011.70 ppb
2019-08-05460742011.90 ppb
2019-08-05460741011.90 ppb
2019-08-0546074301ND
2019-11-04471060011.10 ppb
2019-11-04471062011.10 ppb
2019-11-0447105901ND
2019-11-04471061011.10 ppb

* Sample result is taken from the system's CCR report.