Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Ocean Pines

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

 

64

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

21

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
20160.898 ppb166ND - 4.22 ppb
20170.450 ppb164ND - 2.90 ppb
20180.294 ppb164ND - 1.70 ppb
20191.83 ppb167ND - 11.0 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
2016-02-22L6079824-14.22 ppb
2016-02-22L6079824-3ND
2016-02-22L6079824-21.53 ppb
2016-02-22L6079824-42.32 ppb
2016-05-18L6257702-11.20 ppb
2016-05-18L6257702-3ND
2016-05-18L6257702-4ND
2016-05-18L6257702-2ND
2016-08-163525899ND
2016-08-163525898ND
2016-08-163525900ND
2016-08-163525897ND
2016-11-1435868561.10 ppb
2016-11-143586859ND
2016-11-1435868584.00 ppb
2016-11-143586857ND
2017-02-23L6689907-4BND
2017-02-23L6689907-5B1.10 ppb
2017-02-23L6689907-3BND
2017-02-23L6689907-1BND
2017-05-24L6817705-1ND
2017-05-24L6817705-2ND
2017-05-24L6817705-3ND
2017-05-24L6817705-42.90 ppb
2017-08-24L6942259-42.20 ppb
2017-08-24L6942259-2ND
2017-08-24L6942259-1ND
2017-08-24L6942259-3ND
2017-11-16L6972908-1ND
2017-11-16L6972908-2ND
2017-11-16L6972908-41.000 ppb
2017-11-16L6972908-3ND
2018-02-08STATION BND
2018-02-08OFFICE SINK1.000 ppb
2018-02-08STATION QND
2018-02-08STATION LND
2018-05-24STATION B 0524ND
2018-05-24STATION L 0524ND
2018-05-24PUMP STATION Q 0ND
2018-05-24OFFICE SINK 05241.000 ppb
2018-08-15STATION Q 0815ND
2018-08-15OFFICE SINK 08151.70 ppb
2018-08-15STATION L 0815ND
2018-08-15STATION B 0815ND
2018-11-15111518OP-4ND
2018-11-15OP111518-3ND
2018-11-15OP111518-2ND
2018-11-15OP111518-11.000 ppb
2019-02-21OFFICE SINK-02211.000 ppb
2019-02-21STATION B-0221ND
2019-02-21STATION L-0221ND
2019-02-21STATION Q-0221ND
2019-05-21STATION B-05218.10 ppb
2019-05-21OFFICE SINK-05211.70 ppb
2019-05-21STATION Q - 0521ND
2019-05-21STATION L-0521ND
2019-08-29PSQ082919ND
2019-08-29OFF0829192.60 ppb
2019-08-29PSL082919ND
2019-08-29PSB08291911.0 ppb
2019-11-12OP-PS-LND
2019-11-12OP-PS-QND
2019-11-12OP-OFFICE3.40 ppb
2019-11-12OP-PS-B1.40 ppb