Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene)

Strong Waterworks

Monochlorobenzene is used as a solvent for pesticides, a degreasing agent and an intermediate for manufacturing other chemicals. It causes liver and kidney damage in studies of laboratory animals.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015ND30ND
2016ND10ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND10ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 70 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 70 ppb for monochlorobenzene 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 harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 100 ppb

The legal limit for monochlorobenzene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1960s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-01-1414016010901ND
2015-03-1015071002401ND
2015-07-1415197005801ND
2015-10-1515289010401ND
2016-01-1316015008601ND
2017-02-2717060000401ND
2018-02-2718060003401ND
2018-05-0118123007101ND
2018-09-1718263004401ND
2018-09-1718263004501ND
2018-10-2918305001401ND
2018-11-2618333002201ND
2019-02-1119045009701ND