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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Vidalia

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

 

84

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

6

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.319 ppb163ND - 2.30 ppb
20150.106 ppb161ND - 1.70 ppb
2016ND160ND
2017ND160ND
20180.147 ppb162ND - 1.26 ppb
2019ND40ND

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
2014-02-26AI28716ND
2014-02-26AI28715ND
2014-02-26AI28714ND
2014-02-26AI28713ND
2014-05-27AI414752.30 ppb
2014-05-27AI41474ND
2014-05-27AI41473ND
2014-05-27AI41472ND
2014-08-26AI51488ND
2014-08-26AI51487ND
2014-08-26AI51489ND
2014-08-26AI514901.40 ppb
2014-11-24AI601061.40 ppb
2014-11-24AI60105ND
2014-11-24AI60104ND
2014-11-24AI60103ND
2015-02-24AI65499ND
2015-02-24AI65498ND
2015-02-24AI65497ND
2015-02-24AI65496ND
2015-05-26AI78049ND
2015-05-26AI78046ND
2015-05-26AI78047ND
2015-05-26AI78048ND
2015-08-25AI875921.70 ppb
2015-08-25AI87591ND
2015-08-25AI87590ND
2015-08-25AI87589ND
2015-11-23AJ01563ND
2015-11-23AJ01564ND
2015-11-23AJ01565ND
2015-11-23AJ01566ND
2016-02-22AJ06915ND
2016-02-22AJ06914ND
2016-02-22AJ06913ND
2016-02-22AJ06912ND
2016-05-25AJ12897ND
2016-05-25AJ12896ND
2016-05-25AJ12895ND
2016-05-25AJ12894ND
2016-08-29AJ24597ND
2016-08-29AJ24596ND
2016-08-29AJ24595ND
2016-08-29AJ24594ND
2016-11-21AJ33988ND
2016-11-21AJ33987ND
2016-11-21AJ33986ND
2016-11-21AJ33985ND
2017-02-22AJ46958ND
2017-02-22AJ46959ND
2017-02-22AJ46960ND
2017-02-22AJ46961ND
2017-05-22AJ55910ND
2017-05-22AJ55909ND
2017-05-22AJ55908ND
2017-05-22AJ55907ND
2017-08-15171089-04ND
2017-08-15171089-03ND
2017-08-15171089-02ND
2017-08-15171089-01ND
2017-11-29171477-02ND
2017-11-29171477-01ND
2017-11-29171477-03ND
2017-11-29171477-04ND
2018-02-26176015-04ND
2018-02-26176015-03ND
2018-02-26176015-02ND
2018-02-26176015-011.26 ppb
2018-05-23178478-01ND
2018-05-23178478-02ND
2018-05-23178478-03ND
2018-05-23178478-041.09 ppb
2018-08-14181606-04ND
2018-08-14181606-03ND
2018-08-14181606-02ND
2018-08-14181606-01ND
2018-11-14184489-04ND
2018-11-14184489-03ND
2018-11-14184489-02ND
2018-11-14184489-01ND
2019-08-26187311-02ND
2019-08-26187311-03ND
2019-08-26187311-04ND
2019-08-26187311-01ND