p-Dichlorobenzene
Hawthorne Water Department
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 | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-02-19 | 5701-004-0910 | ND |
| 2014-05-21 | 5701-004-1110 | ND |
| 2015-05-27 | 5701-004-1106 | ND |
| 2016-05-18 | 5701-004-0945 | ND |
| 2016-07-13 | 9590-008-0915 | ND |
| 2017-01-18 | 5701-004-1030 | ND |
| 2017-07-31 | 5701-004-1140 | ND |
| 2017-10-18 | 5701-004-1030 | ND |
| 2018-01-24 | 5701-004-0840 | ND |
| 2018-04-18 | 5810-004-0930 | ND |
| 2018-07-26 | 5701-004-0900 | ND |
| 2018-10-17 | 9590-004-1055 | ND |
| 2019-01-23 | 9590-004-1055 | ND |
| 2019-04-17 | 5701-004-1120 | ND |
| 2019-07-17 | 5701-004-1315 | ND |
| 2019-10-16 | 5701-004-1110 | ND |