Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Washington Corrections Center
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform. Read More.
Studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe have found that drinking tap water that carries disinfection byproducts increases the risk of developing bladder cancer. In animal studies, all trihalomethanes cause liver, kidney and intestinal tumors. Some human epidemiological studies also reported an association between disinfection byproducts and an increased risk of problems during pregnancy, including spontaneous miscarriage, cardiovascular defects, neural tube defects and low birth weight.
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.510 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.440 ppb - 0.580 ppb |
2015 | 0.635 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.530 ppb - 0.740 ppb |
2016 | 0.333 ppb | 3 | 1 | ND - 1.000 ppb |
2017 | 0.650 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.600 ppb - 0.700 ppb |
2018 | 0.670 ppb | 2 | 2 | 0.610 ppb - 0.730 ppb |
2019 | 0.857 ppb | 3 | 2 | ND - 1.31 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.15 ppb
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 80 ppb
The legal limit for the group of four trihalomethanes, 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 due to exposure to trihalomethanes.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-08-13 | 12546 | 0.580 ppb |
2014-08-22 | 12683 | 0.440 ppb |
2015-08-12 | 18019 | 0.740 ppb |
2015-08-12 | 18018 | 0.530 ppb |
2016-08-19 | ND | |
2016-08-19 | 1.000 ppb | |
2016-12-05 | ND | |
2017-08-10 | 0.600 ppb | |
2017-08-10 | 0.700 ppb | |
2018-08-08 | 0.730 ppb | |
2018-08-08 | 0.610 ppb | |
2019-08-14 | 1.26 ppb | |
2019-08-14 | 1.31 ppb | |
2019-08-14 | ND |